India, Oman to jointly conduct research on sharks and rays in the Arabian Sea

In Kochi, a landmark partnership between India and Oman is poised to revolutionize research and conservation endeavors concerning sharks and rays in the Arabian Sea. This ambitious initiative, unveiled on Friday, is set to be formally inaugurated during an upcoming workshop at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

Bringing together experts from both nations, the workshop, scheduled to convene imminently, represents a significant milestone in the realms of marine research and conservation. Its primary objective is to forge collaborative research pathways and bolster capacity-building initiatives in elasmobranch research—an essential facet of marine biodiversity conservation and management.

Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI, expressed profound optimism regarding the forthcoming workshop. He underscored its role in fostering a robust research network between CMFRI and Oman’s Marine Science and Fisheries Centre, Directorate General of Fisheries Research.

“The workshop will serve as a cornerstone for fostering a collaborative trajectory in marine research between the two nations, thereby unlocking avenues for regional management and conservation of emblematic marine species such as sharks and rays in the Arabian Sea,” remarked Dr. Gopalakrishnan. He emphasized the potential for broader collaboration spanning diverse domains within marine fisheries research.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan further underscored CMFRI’s pivotal role as the national marine scientific authority for CITES, underscoring the institute’s longstanding commitment to marine conservation endeavors.

CMFRI has spearheaded pioneering research initiatives focusing on sharks and rays in Indian waters for over a decade. Through dedicated research programs, CMFRI has not only generated invaluable insights but also formulated policy advisories, conservation strategies, and species-specific databases. This extensive expertise positions CMFRI as a frontrunner in the conservation and management of elasmobranch species within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The impending workshop promises an unparalleled platform for participants from India and Oman to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices garnered from their respective regions’ endeavors in shark and ray conservation. This collaborative endeavor is anticipated to enrich ongoing conservation initiatives and catalyze novel research undertakings.

Heading the research teams are Dr. Khalfan Al Rashdi, Director of the Aquaculture Centre at Oman’s Directorate General of Fisheries Research, and Dr. Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, Head of the Finfish Fisheries Division at CMFRI and Principal Investigator of CMFRI’s national project on elasmobranch.

Spearheaded by the India-Shark & Ray Lab within the Finfish Fisheries Division of CMFRI, this workshop heralds a watershed moment in advancing collaborative research and conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the rich marine biodiversity of the Arabian Sea.