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KU project to explore marine potential
KARACHI, Dec 26, 2007: The Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology (CEMB),
University of Karachi, has undertaken a four-year multidimensional project that
will help Pakistan explore its marine flora and fauna and develop expertise in
marine aquaculture, so far an untapped potential that can help alleviate poverty
in coastal communities, besides reducing pressure on depleting fish and shrimp
resources.
The project, DelPHE (Development of Partnership in Higher
Education), is funded by the Department of International Development (DFID),
United Kingdom.
Dr Pirzada Jamal Siddiqui, an assistant professor of
Marine Biology at the Centre, and DelPHE coordinator for Pakistan gave details
of the project in an interview. Prof Maruf Hossain, a former director of
the Institute of Marine Science and Fisheries (IMSF), University of Chittagong,
and DelPHE coordinator for Bangladesh was also present on the
occasion.
Prof Siddiqui said that DelPHE was aimed at building
institutional capacity in assessment and conservation of marine biodiversity
with specific reference to corals and their associated ecosystems and
development of aquaculture and fisheries technologies.
"The coast of
Pakistan exhibited considerable diversity in terms of marine flora and fauna,
including many commercially viable species. However, there has been a little
research conducted so far on this subject and what has been done is mainly
focused on the species found along the Sindh coast. The Balochistan coast has
virtually been left out," he observed.
He said this project provided an
ideal opportunity not only to explore what had remained undocumented in the
past, but also to develop expertise in aquaculture, especially marine
aquaculture which was almost non-existent in the country.
"We have a
wonderful chance to learn from experts working at the University of Sterling and
University of London's Marine Biological Station at Millport and the IMSF,
University of Chittagong; which are our project partners. Sterling and
Bangladesh are far ahead in terms of experience and expertise. In fact,
Bangladeshis have been earning a fortune through aquaculture and have already
developed innovative technology in collaboration with
Sterling."
Socio-economic uplift
These technologies will be
more suitable for application in Pakistan as the climatic and socio-economic
conditions of Pakistan and Bangladesh are similar," Dr Siddiqui said. About the
benefits, he pointed out that a sustainable aquaculture closer to coastal
communities would not only provide food, but also generate job opportunities.
Moreover, it would release pressure on the wild species which were being caught
indiscriminately and many of which were near extinction, he said. A lack of
trained manpower had remained the biggest hurdle in commercialising aquaculture,
he observed.
Listing the achievements that have been made so far through
the international links set up with the help of Higher Education Commission
(HEC), he said that selected students and staff had been imparted training in
coral reef survey methods, coral taxonomy, marine mammal biology, ecology and
research and survey techniques.
"But the dream is to turn Karachi
University into a national facility where manpower could be developed for marine
aquaculture," Dr Siddiqui remarked.
Gains in sight
Highlighting what Bangladesh is set to gain from DelPHE, Prof Maruf
Hossain said the focus was on St. Martin's Island, the only coral belonging
island of the Bay of Bengal endowed with vast marine and land resources. "Under
this project, we will be carrying out the first detailed study on the status of
coral species and the various flora and fauna of this island, including
dolphins, turtles and birds, with the help of UK team," he said, adding that the
data would later be shared with Pakistani counterparts who had already done some
work on Astola island near Pasni.
About the present status of the Island,
he said that unbridled human activity and construction had harmed the marine
life, however, the process was being checked now by the government which had
banned further construction.
"This happened because people didn't have
much awareness of the significance of corals and their ecological and economical
value. In fact, corals had until recently been considered as mere rocks," he
said, emphasising that there was still a dire need for creating more awareness
about these seemingly insignificant creatures.
"Coral reef ecosystems are
vital for the survival of the world's fisheries as they support enormous
biodiversity and provide revenue to local communities. Thus, a research is being
carried out around the world for their conservation," he said. An integrated
approach by creating a sense of belonging among locals over their natural
resources is essential for a sustainable conservation, he
stressed.
"Eco-tourism is being promoted throughout the world which
requires pro-active support of government and involvement of local communities.
People with a sense of ownership can well protect their natural resources, but
they initially need monetary support and training for which the government has
to take the first step," Prof Maruf noted. Dawn
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