🚢 Sri Lanka Partners with UN Vessel for 32-Day Marine Scientific Survey

The UN-flagged vessel R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen arrives in Sri Lanka today to conduct a comprehensive marine survey within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), marking a significant step for the fisheries sector and ocean governance. • Mission Overview: A 32-day collaborative project between the FAO, the Ministry of Fisheries, and NARA to assess marine living resources and ecosystem health. • Key Activities: Hydro-acoustic surveys to estimate biomass and distribution of key fish stocks. Monitoring of biodiversity and assessment of marine pollution levels. Studying the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. • Economic Impact: Data gathered will support sustainable fisheries management, ensuring long-term food security and the viability of the export and aquatic resources industries. • Capacity Building: The mission facilitates knowledge exchange between international experts and Sri Lankan scientists to enhance national research capabilities. • Historical Context: This mission continues a long-standing partnership, following previous scientific surveys conducted in 1978–1980 and 2018. This initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to scientific cooperation and the sustainable management of its maritime territory. 📈 _