Experts convened at the seventh International Jellyfish Blooms Symposium (JBS7) in Thiruvananthapuram are emphasizing the critical importance of in-depth research into jellyfish species inhabiting Indian waters. The symposium, organized by the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries at the University of Kerala, in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), aims to foster a better understanding of jellyfish for potential fisheries and sustainable marine resource management.
While India plays a significant role in jellyfish fisheries, experts at JBS7 highlighted existing knowledge gaps related to jellyfish stocks, their pivotal role in the ecosystem, and their position in the food chain. The symposium, which commenced on Tuesday in Kovalam, serves as a platform for collaboration among researchers keen on exploring the unique physiological and biochemical characteristics of jellyfish.
Professor Mark J. Gibbons from the University of Western Cape South Africa, in his talk on ‘Jellyfish, People, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,’ emphasized the importance of adopting the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) to balance human needs with broader ecosystem considerations. Despite the growing significance of jellyfish in various industries, Gibbons underscored the need for a more comprehensive understanding of these marine creatures, pointing out uncertainties that necessitate caution in managing this resource.
During a press conference related to the symposium, Professor A. Biju Kumar, Head of the Department of Aquatic Biology at Kerala University, stressed the urgency of focused research into jellyfish diversity in Indian waters. He highlighted that jellyfish, which have been the subject of two Nobel Prize discoveries, present untapped potential that requires careful exploration.
The symposium also featured the presence of international experts, including Professor Michael N. Dawson from the University of California and Kylie Pitt from Griffith University Australia. The call for heightened research efforts reflects the global recognition of the need for a thorough understanding of jellyfish in Indian waters for sustainable fisheries and marine resource management.
