01/05/03

Concerns over ocean exploration initiative

We encourage you to republish this article online and in print, it’s free under our creative commons attribution license, but please follow some simple guidelines:

You have to credit our authors.
You have to credit SciDev.Net — where possible include our logo with a link back to the original article.
You can simply run the first few lines of the article and then add: “Read the full article on SciDev.Net” containing a link back to the original article.
If you want to also take images published in this story you will need to confirm with the original source if you're licensed to use them.
The easiest way to get the article on your site is to embed the code below.

For more information view our media page and republishing guidelines.

The full article is available here as HTML.

Press Ctrl-C to copy

<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>Concerns over ocean exploration initiative</h1>
<h4></h4>
</div>
<br />
<br />

<div id="article-body">
<p>Marine researchers from developing nations have expressed concern over proposals for a global ocean exploration initiative that would encourage open-ended expeditions. <BR><BR>The initiative, which was proposed last week, “may not test a specific hypothesis but would search for new knowledge,” says John Norton Moore, a member of an international panel assembled in Paris by the US National Academy of Sciences.<BR><BR>The panel is keen to promote large-scale explorations, which contrast with the tightly focused studies that characterise current oceanographic research.<BR><BR>While many agreed that ocean exploration should be an international priority, participants from developing countries highlighted concerns over who would benefit from such research. <BR><BR>Muthukamatchi Ravindran, head of India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology pointed out that some are suspicious that richer nations will use exploration as a cover for prospecting for mineral or biological resources, for example.<BR><BR>Full sharing in results of the research and the techniques used is seen as a possible way forward. “Technology transfer will be the key”, says Temel Oguz of the Middle East Technical University in Turkey.<BR><BR>Participants also suggested setting up a formal committee under the auspices of the United Nations, which would set priorities and deal with funding. <BR><BR>© SciDev.Net 2002<BR><BR></p>

</div>
<div class="quick-links-wrapper">
<h3>You might also like</h3>
[related-articles]
</div>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/news/concerns-over-ocean-exploration-initiative/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(e,t,n,r,i,s,o){e["GoogleAnalyticsObject"]=i;e[i]=e[i]||function(){(e[i].q=e[i].q||[]).push(arguments)},e[i].l=1*new Date;s=t.createElement(n),o=t.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];s.async=1;s.src=r;o.parentNode.insertBefore(s,o)})(window,document,"script","//www.google-analytics.com/ga.js","ga");var _gaq=_gaq||[];var _gaq=_gaq||[];_gaq.push(["_setAccount","UA-3223906-8"],["_trackEvent","article interaction","republished","https://www.scidev.net/global/news/concerns-over-ocean-exploration-initiative/",null,true])
</script>
</div>

Marine researchers from developing nations have expressed concern over proposals for a global ocean exploration initiative that would encourage open-ended expeditions.

The initiative, which was proposed last week, “may not test a specific hypothesis but would search for new knowledge,” says John Norton Moore, a member of an international panel assembled in Paris by the US National Academy of Sciences.

The panel is keen to promote large-scale explorations, which contrast with the tightly focused studies that characterise current oceanographic research.

While many agreed that ocean exploration should be an international priority, participants from developing countries highlighted concerns over who would benefit from such research.

Muthukamatchi Ravindran, head of India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology pointed out that some are suspicious that richer nations will use exploration as a cover for prospecting for mineral or biological resources, for example.

Full sharing in results of the research and the techniques used is seen as a possible way forward. “Technology transfer will be the key”, says Temel Oguz of the Middle East Technical University in Turkey.

Participants also suggested setting up a formal committee under the auspices of the United Nations, which would set priorities and deal with funding.

© SciDev.Net 2002