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Pact soon to build marine capacity
Context
The upcoming International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean) at the Indian National Centre For Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) here is all set to sign up with UNESCO to cater to the worldwide need to build technical and management manpower capacity in marine, coastal sustainability and response to marine natural hazards
Contribution to SDG 14
To be recognised as Category 2 Centre (C2C) of UNESCO, the Rs. 100-crore institute in Pragatinagar (Kukatpally) will be in a position to contribute to the United Nations body’s Sustainable Development Goal-14 (SDG 14)
SDG 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
Backdrop
India had offered to set up the ITCOocean for the benefit of countries around the Indian Ocean rim (26 from Asia and Africa) after an Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of 150-odd member countries decided to go for developing capacity building following the tsunami of 2004
What is operational oceanography?
Operational oceanography involves systematic ocean studies and providing information services to the blue economy like fishing, disaster management, shipping and ports, coastal management, environmental management, offshore industries and also for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard
Why ITCOocean?
INCOIS needed expertise to interpret large data generated through research vessels on the ocean and our observation posts in studying marine resources, monsoons and about climate change. ITCOocean aims to bridge that gap
Collaboration
ITCOocean has also tied up with Norway’s Nansen Scientific Society and the Research Council to collaborate in teaching and research
