Ocean abounds with a variety of resources

By L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma	Prof. Ranjith Senaratna

Sri Lanka has an oceanic area equivalent to nearly eight times its land mass, which is likely to increase substantially in the future as per the UN convention of the law of the sea. The ocean including its seabed abouds with a variety of biological chemical and physical resources of great economic value, which hitherto remain almost unexplored and untapped.

Sustainable management and utilisation of the rich and huge marine resource base hold great promise for the economic development of Sri Lanka - through creation of new enterprises, and industries generation of employment and earning valuable foreign exchange.

Ocean University chairman Professor Ranjith Senaratne said that recognising the importance of human resources development in the fisheries sector to the national economy and to maximising the productivity of marine and inland water resources are vital. Ocean University - the National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering was set up in 1999 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the then Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The scope of the objectives and the functions of the Ocean University have been widened after the eradication of LTTE terrorism.

Ocean University academics and the Chairman Prof. Ranjith Senaratna meet Jaffna Fishery Co-operative Society officials.

Undergraduates at the fishery boatyard

Students are being trained in underwater welding work

The Northern and Eastern sea is identified as full of natural resources useful for training, research, fishing and oil exploration activities, under the guidance of Youth Affairs Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Ocean University is geared to meet the increasing demands of the fisheries and marine sector, the professor said.

"Ocean University is not just another University. Our aim is to develop it as a community oriented University - Comm-University. The fishing community and people who earn their livelihood from the sea will be the direct beneficiaries. The development of the Port sector is bound to create more job opportunities he said.

He said: we have already commenced degree programs on Navigation, international transport-management, Harbour Management, Coastal Zone Management and Diplomas on Marine Engine Technology, Fibreglass Technology, Computer Science, Certificate Courses in Underwater Welding, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Marine Welding Technology, out-board motor engine, repair and maintenance, marine engine technology, Swimming, life Saving, Scuba diving, Fishing Gear Technology.

The B.Sc degree programs are on fisheries and marine science, marine engineering and naval architecture.

Professor Ranjith Senaratne said that steps have been taken to improve relations with the advanced ocean universities in Europe.

Sri Lanka and Sweeden have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding between Sri Lankan Ocean University and Sweedish world Maritime University to launch joint educational training and research programs during the discussions Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasingha had with Sweedish authorities recently.

The Ocean University will work in close collaboration with the Universities in Iceland, Norway, Canada, New Zealand and Japan for the development of maritime and fisheries studies the professor said.

He said that underwater safari tours are being introduced in Europe for highend tourists providing access to beautiful corals, sea plants, beautiful ornamental fish. The Ocean University is exploring the possibility of introducing them into the eastern and northern seas with foreign assistance, the professor said.

Theoretical and practical lectures and the training for the Diploma and Degree programme of the Ocean University are being conducted in Mattakkuliya, Negombo, Tangalle, Kalutara, Galle, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Jaffna campuses. The students who have passed in the GCE Advanced level science and maths stream with three passes are eligible to qualify for admission to the Ocean University. At present over 700 male and female students have enroled in the Ocean University.

Tangalle Fisheries and Naval Engineering Faculty Deputy Director Rashinta Tushara said that their students are fully trained to handle underwater welding work.

One third of the ship's body is underwater when ships are anchored. Repairs to ships can be successfully handled by those trained by us for such skills, he said.

Tangalle National Fisheries and Naval Engineering Faculty Senior Lecturer N.P.J. Pushpita said that advanced technology is being introduced to traditional fishing through their programs "Fishermen face enormous difficulties when their batteries go out of order after a few weeks in the deep sea and lose contact with their families. The ships are also unable to identify the multi-day fishing boats when they are without power. The solar power for multi-day fishing boats was introduced at Tangalle recently to overcome this difficulty", Puhspita said.

At present there are thousands of unskilled unemployed youth in the country. The Ocean University could train our youth for various skills such as Fisheries, Navigation, Coastal Zone Management and International Transport Management and Sea Tourism.