The First GCC Marine Biotechnology Symposium: Emerging Opportunities and Future Perspectives

Abstract

With its diverse, living marine resources and rapidly growing educational and research infrastructure, the Sultanate of Oman is well-positioned to take advantage of the commercial opportunities presented by marine biotechnology. In recognition of potential development, an international symposium, Marine Biotechnology-Emerging Opportunities and Future Perspectives, was held in Muscat, November 12-13, 2013. Three keynote addresses were given, 23 oral presentations made, and a poster exhibition held. The final session reviewed national and regional issues, and the delegates agreed informally on a number of future actions. The potential for future development of marine biotechnology was recognized by all delegates, and following the symposium, they were surveyed for their views on how best to sustain and develop new activities. One hundred percent of respondents found the meeting useful and would support future symposia in the region. Fifty-one percent of Omani respondents recognized major organizational challenges and obstacles to the development of marine biotechnology compared with 23 % of overseas respondents. The need for greater collaboration between research institutions within the GCC region was recognized by 98 % of all respondents. The presentations and survey outcomes are reviewed in this paper.

Novel genomic microsatellite markers for genetic population and diversity studies of tropical scalloped spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) and their potential application in related Panulirus species

“…There are major concerns about the future of spiny lobster fisheries owing to a constant decline in the catch (Rogers et al, 2010;FAO, 2012;Goddard et al, 2015), emphasizing the need for serious efforts towards sustainable fishery management and regulation of the species. Based on morphological characters, 20 different Spiny lobster species (genus Panulirus) have been described, five from the Atlantic and 15 from the Indo-Pacific region (Holthuis, 1991).…”

2nd GCC Marine Biotechnology conference: emerging opportunities and future perspectives

“…This is the second conference in this field organized in the region. The first Marine Biotechnology symposium took place at SQU in November 2013 and 100 participants representing fifteen different countries came to share their ideas and knowledge (Goddard et al 2015). The main aim of this 2nd GCC marine biotechnology conference was to provide a stage for marine biotechnology, aquaculture and fisheries scientists from the region and other countries to exchange ideas, build up new collaborations, and strengthen existing ones between institutes, centers and industries.…”

Marine biotechnology: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives

“…A final session reviewed national and regional issues and the delegates agreed formally on a number of future actions. Full details of the symposium and the results and analysis of a post-symposium survey on the future development of marine biotechnology are given in Goddard et al (2015).…”