Hydrographic info crucial for exploring sea resources

Bangladesh has huge sea potentials and hydrographic information is crucial to explore sea resources, said Navy Chief Vice Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed.

Hydrography plays a vital role in the exploration of oil-gas, installation of seaport, dredging, oceanographic research and all other maritime activities, he said while addressing the inaugural session of a conference as the chief guest yesterday.

The three-day conference -- 16th North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission (NIOHC) -- began at a hotel in Chittagong city to highlight the importance of hydrographic survey charts and publications.

If the potentials are explored and maximum utilisation of the sea resources were ensured, it will play a vital role in the country's development, he added.

Director of International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) Mustafa IPTES said hydrographic survey is important for Bangladesh due to its geological condition and "Blue Economy".

He also said North Indian Ocean region is one of the biggest regions of IHO and the NIOHC has been established for establishing coordination and cooperation among the members in the region.

The Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (operations) Rear Admiral M Makbul Hossain, also NIOHC chairperson, presided over the conference.

Delegates from member states -- Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the UK-- and associate members states -- Australia, France, Oman, Seychelles and theUSA -- joined the conference. Delegates from Russian and Sudan joined as observers.