4–6 November 2026, Kochi
ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, hosted the International TREVOR-SAFARI Symposium 2026 from 4 to 6 November 2026, bringing together global experts to deliberate on strengthening ocean observation systems, promoting open access to marine data and leveraging emerging technologies for sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystem management.
Inaugurating the symposium, Dr Sophie Seeyavae, Chief Executive Officer, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), UK, emphasised the importance of technological innovation and enhanced ocean observation capabilities in addressing emerging challenges facing marine ecosystems.
The scientific deliberations highlighted critical challenges, including rising sea temperatures, marine heatwaves, shifting fish populations, coral bleaching, harmful algal blooms and changes in ocean productivity. Experts stressed the need to integrate satellite remote sensing, oceanographic observations, climate models, artificial intelligence and in-situ data to improve understanding of physical and biological changes in marine ecosystems and strengthen timely advisories and early warning systems.
Addressing the valedictory session, Dr T. Srinivasa Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, highlighted the Government's efforts to translate scientific research and technological advancements into practical solutions, particularly for coastal and marginalised communities vulnerable to climate change.
Highlighting major initiatives of the Ministry, he outlined the role of the Deep Ocean Mission in advancing deep-sea exploration, indigenous technology development and ocean observation services. He also highlighted PRITHvi Vigyan (PRITHVI), an integrated Earth system science programme covering the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and solid Earth to strengthen weather, climate, ocean and hazard-related services.
A key outcome of the symposium was the adoption of the Kochi Declaration, which calls for an integrated multinational ocean observation system and free, open and timely access to ocean data. The declaration advocates recognising ocean data as a shared global resource while emphasising the systematic preservation and curation of historical datasets. It was formally handed over to the Union Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, for consideration and policy-level action.
The symposium was jointly organised by the Trevor Platt Science Foundation, Department of Chemical Oceanography, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), ICAR-CMFRI and the Marine Biological Association of India.
Dr Grinson George, Director, ICAR-CMFRI; Dr Junaid M. Bushiri, Vice-Chancellor, CUSAT; Prof. Shubha Sathyendranath, Director, Trevor Platt Science Foundation; and several distinguished international experts addressed the scientific gathering.
The three-day symposium witnessed participation from more than 300 delegates representing 30 countries, including fisheries scientists, oceanographers, climate researchers and remote sensing experts. The scientific programme featured around 250 presentations, providing a platform for international collaboration, knowledge exchange and discussions on advancing ocean observation and sustainable marine resource management.
(Source: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi)
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