Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Mohamed Shainee has revealed efforts are underway to establish Maldives as an Ocean Lab.
Maldives has the unique natural resources and the environment to establish itself as a marine researches hub, Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee stated while speaking at the Second Maldives Marine Science Symposium.
Fisheries Minister Shainee noted, the increase in number of foreign dignitaries and marine biologists attending the symposium paves way to enhance tourism and protect the environment. Moreover, Minister Shainee added that some surveys are being conducted in efforts to establish Maldives as a marine research hub. Minister Shainee highlighted that in the last 5 years, the government has managed to successfully strengthen a frail marine research sector in the Maldives.
The one-day symposium held by Marine Research Centre and Maldives National University saw 20 presentations and 15 poster presentations on various researches based on oceans. The symposium was attended by marine researchers, students of marine research courses, marine biologists and individuals working in the sector.
The main objective of the symposium was to share knowledge and experiences which will contribute towards the conservation and sustainable utilisation of valuable marine environment and resources. The first symposium was held in 2016.