Context:

Recently, the third international conference on Marine Ecosystems-Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS) was held in Kochi in January 2019.

About

• The conference is aimed at reviewing the concerns involved in the marine ecosystem and formulating strategies for the better and sustainable utilization of marine wealth by enhancing livelihood options.
• The symposium is organized by the Marine Biological Association of India.
• It will also serve as a platform for discussions on a range of topics, including the impact of the climate crisis on marine ecosystems and the unusual warming of the Arabian Sea.
• The conference would focus on the Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, SDG-14 which says ‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans and its resources for sustainable development.

Signifi cance

• Billions of people worldwide, especially the world’s poorest rely on healthy oceans to provide jobs and food underscoring the urgent need to sustainably use and protect this natural resource.
• However, numerous issues such as depletion of resources, marine pollution, extreme weather conditions, and rising sea surface temperature pose a threat to the sustainable utilization of marine resources.
• Hence, the conference would come up with a roadmap to deal with these issues.

Conclusion

• Eminent marine scientists, oceanographers, fishery researchers, and marine bio-technologists from across the globe have assembled in Kochi and stressed the need for the preservation of the marine ecosystem.
• Moreover, the symposium itself has been designed in an eco-friendly way.
• No printed materials and single-use plastics will be used at the symposium.
• Natural materials will be used for presenting mementos to the guests and certificates will be sent to the participants in digital form.
• This will have a stronger impact on the behavior of people as well the state and non-state actors to play a major role in marine ecosystem conservation.
• Healthy oceans, coasts, and related ecosystems are crucial for economic growth and food production.