Lanka revitalizes marine research, eyes blue economy growth

In a significant move towards unlocking the potential of its vast maritime resources, Sri Lanka is renewing its focus on marine research and fostering international collaborations, aiming to bolster the nation’s blue economy, a report published by the World University News said yesterday.

It said Rear Admiral YN Jayarathna (retired), former chief of staff and chief hydrographer of the Sri Lanka Navy, commended this renewed commitment, deeming it a promising step.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Jayarathna said the significance of obtaining both raw and processed data from international partners. He underscored the vital role of such data in understanding weather patterns, especially for optimizing agricultural activities.

However, Sri Lanka has faced challenges due to what Jayarathna referred to as “maritime blindness” among policymakers, leading to missed opportunities and underutilization of the nation’s extensive marine resources.

The establishment of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) in 1981 and the department of oceanography and marine geology at the University of Ruhuna marked a turning point in Sri Lanka’s commitment to marine research.

Despite its 1,300-kilometer coastline and an exclusive economic zone over 500,000 square kilometers in the Indian Ocean, much of Sri Lanka’s underwater resources remain unexplored. Only a fraction of academic programs, approximately 500 students out of 45,000 annual enrollees, focus on marine sciences, indicating an untapped potential for growth in sectors like fisheries and marine conservation.

To address this, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a degree program in aquatic bioresources and encouraged international students to pursue degrees in fisheries, marine sciences, aquatic resources technology, and marine and fresh water sciences. However, low foreign student enrollments and financial sustainability challenges persist.

In a surprising development, the visit of the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 to Sri Lanka on Oct 25 sparked concerns from India and the United States. The vessel, initially cleared for collaboration with the University of Ruhuna, faced opposition from the university, raising questions about Sri Lanka’s stance amid regional politics and the India-China naval power rivalry.

As Sri Lanka contemplates a new standard operating procedure for approving access to vessels and aircraft, the nation seeks to balance neutrality through its non-aligned foreign policy. The strategic geographical location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean emphasizes the importance of safeguarding sovereignty and economic interests for regional stability, peace, and sustainable development.

Despite challenges, Sri Lanka’s commitment to marine research and international collaboration remains a beacon of hope for unlocking the untapped potential of its blue economy.