From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Goa, Nov 27: Nearly half a century after first edition, the most awaited International Indian Ocean Expedition will be flagged off from December 4 from Goa. Total 20 countries and 40 ships will be participating in the expedition which will study the effects of climate change on the ocean.

Dona Paula-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is hosting this expedition which is expected to carve a milestone in the field of Ocean research.

UnionMinister for Science and Technology Dr Harsha Vardhan will flag off the expedition from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).

The second international Indian Ocean expedition is an initiative by the UNESCO’s intergovernmental oceanographic commission. It will study various aspects of emerging and changing ocean behaviour where the countries will collate and analyse the marine science data to study different climatic challenges and changes.

The mission is aimed at knowledgebuilding, sharing and capacity building. It will also raise global awareness about the importance of the Indian Ocean. “The first expedition conducted between 1961-65 was a broadbased study with the involvement of only 13 countries. But we are now looking at specific data and issues in collaboration with countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar,” NIO said.

Countries like USA, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, South Africa and other regional countries will be participating in the expedition and the cost will be borne by individual countries.