OCEAN WEALTH
January 2008
Introduction
Special Feature
Ocean Observation
Perspective
Ship Pollution
New Ocean Vessels
New Technologies
Institution
Living Marine Resources
In focus
Legal Scene
Antarktika
Knowledge Spreads
Expert Converage
Scan Around the Globe

Previous Issues



From the Desk of Chairman
Ocean Wealth : No. 29
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defera) of the UK has published a draft implementation plan that spells our Defra’s vision 2027, setting out what it intends to do to achieve sustainable fisheries and to manage them to get the best long- term benefits while ensuring that such activities do not breach environmental limits. The vision envisages to secure responsible fishing management that follow an ecosystem -based approach in order to preserve and protect rare, vulnerable and valuable species and habitats, especially in the context of climate change. It also would ensure access to fisheries for small stakeholders so that economic and social returns to the coastal communities are optimised. The vision statement contains nine elements to realise sustainable fisheries and identifies roles and responsibilities that each stakeholder needs to play and bear for achieving the vision objectives.

The Special Feature in this issue of the WISTA : Ocean Wealth covers in brief the Defra’s draft vision “Fisheries 2027”, its various elements and the measures it aims to implement to achieve a balance between economic, social and environmental priorities.

The feature on “Institution” profiles the Ocean Research Institute of the University of Tokyo, Japan, and the diverse roles its main departments of physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, marine bioscience, living marine resources, are executing covering mechanisms of various atmospheric influences over Sea of Japan, oceanic response to natural and anthropogenic perturbations, carbon metabolism in the ocean, etc.

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on earth, bordered by five countries of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. In view of its rich energy and marine resources, the littoral states have been negotiating for over a decade to arrive at practical understanding for regulating the Caspian resources and borders. “Perspective” in the current issue covers the Caspian Sea, its geography and history, its fauna, and its immense hydrocarbon resources.

Other features covered include: Ocean Observation, Research Vessel, New Technologies, Living Marine Resources, In Focus, Legal Scene, Oceans & Climate, Knowledge Spreads, Experts Converge and Scan Around the Global.

We welcome comments and suggestion from our readers.

Dr K V Swaminathan

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS TEAM

Mr S R Adige- Principal Advisor

Dr Kishan Lal - Jt Director

Mr Suresh Kumar - Jt Director

Mr S S Kalra - Director

This publication aims at disseminating information on pertinent developments in its specific field of coverage. The information published does not, therefore, imply endorsement of any product/process/ producer or technology by WITT.