Malaysian National Ocean Policy To Be Ready In Six Months

Bernama 18 Jun 09;

PORT KLANG, June 18 (Bernama) -- Science, Technology and Innovation minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili today said the National Ocean Policy (NOP)being drafted by the ministry is expected to be ready in six months.

"The cabinet had agreed for the preparation of the draft and once ready, it will be tabled in the cabinet," he said after launching the Premier Scientific Exploration Expedition at National Hydrographic Centre (NHC) in Pulau Indah here Thursday.

Dr Ongkili said the NOP would comprise components of the country's maritime realm, including social, economic, environmental and biological components, development of marine-related activities and to regulate the functions of the respective agencies involved.

The drafting of the policy is being headed by the National Oceanography Directorate, an agency under the ministry, he said.

He said it was his wish to see people living in the coastal areas to enjoy a similar lifestyle like those in countries like Australia, especially fishermen who are among the rich in the country.

Dr Ongkili added that one of the objective of the expedition was to gather and compile data and information that can be used as a guideline to draft the NOP.

"Information gathered will be analysed to identify the marine resources, flora and Fiona, marine life, climate change, sediments and tide," he said.

The maiden expedition to the Sulu and Sulawesi Sea is expected to bring about a new dimension in exploration to the country's Oceanography.

The expedition launched today would involve 54 explorers from agencies under the ministry, Prime Minister's Department, Marine Department, Fisheries Department, Department of Environment and Marine Park, Mineralogy and Geosciences Departments.

Apart from the department's representatives from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Industri Selangor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu are also part of the 52-day expedition, he said.

-- BERNAMA