Principal Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries State Department for Fisheries and the Blue Economy Micheni Japhet Ntiba. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NMG
Africa and the adjacent island States have been urged to harness
ocean science and research to optimally utilise the huge untapped
potential of the blue economy.
Fisheries, Aquaculture
and the Blue Economy Principal Secretary Prof Micheni Ntiba said experts
from the region and partners should deliberate on ways to enable the
maritime sector make its rightful contribution to the economy and help
boost livelihoods.
Kenya, he said, has offered its
oceanographic research vessel, the RV Mtafiti for regional cruises in
the framework of the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition
(2015-2020).
Also, Prof Ntiba said the regional
training centre for the Ocean Teacher Global Academy programme, hosted
by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute has provided
training on a wide range of ocean-related topics to scientists from the
region.
He was speaking at the regional consultation
workshop for Africa and the adjacent island States on the United
Nation’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development at the
Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi,
The stakeholders at the forum decried lack of marine capacity in
Africa, saying the continent lags behind in both human and
infrastructure for ocean science and research.
“Important
area of focus include the development of capacities for marine science
and technology, address the development of an African Ocean Observing
System contributing to human and economic security and ensure that the
information generated from such a system would enable us manage our
resources better, by providing input for improved weather prediction, to
mitigate the impacts of ocean related hazards such as cyclones and
storm surges on our coastal populations,” the PS said.
The
region, the PS insisted must sustainably harness the vast developmental
and wealth creation opportunities provided by the blue economy
resources that Africa is “immensely endowed with”.
Prof Ntiba said Africa’s blue economy, will be a major contributor to continental transformation and growth.
“It
will be a tool in advancing knowledge on marine and aquatic
biotechnology, the growth of an Africa-wide shipping industry, the
development of sea, river and lake transport and fishing; and
exploitation of deep sea mineral and other resources,” the PS said.
The
African Union has also adopted 2050 African Integrated Marine Strategic
Plan of Action (AIMS2050), which provides a roadmap for increased
wealth creation from Africa’s oceans and seas by developing a
sustainable thriving blue economy.
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