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Geographic
location of Tuticorin
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- The
Sacred Heart Marine Research Center (SHMRC) is situated in the
southeastern tip of India in the city of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
province. The Center was recognized in 1991 by Madurai Kamaraj
University as a research center leading to a Ph.D. degree. SHMRC
is an independent, nonprofit organization. The Centre is staff with
biologists at the PhD and MSc level undertaking various researches.
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- Panoramic view of the Karrapad, with SHMRC Beach
Laboaratory across the cove
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The Center is also
well known for its groundbreaking research in identifying non-toxic,
natural compounds that may prevent the attachment of fouling
organisms, such as barnacles and mussels. The long term aim is
to be able to replace the toxic compounds used by industry that
pollutes the oceanic environment and replace with more eco-friendly
alternatives.
SHMRC's research operation is
directed by Sister Dr. Avelin Mary,
a Roman Catholic nun belonging to the Congregation of Mother of
Sorrows, Servants of Mary. For more information about Sister Avelin,
please click HERE.
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The primary
objectives of SHMRC are as follows:
- Identification
of natural products.
Identification of natural
products from the sea for pharmaceuticals and industrial
applications. For more information, please click
HERE.
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- Marine
conservation. The
South Indian coast, particilarly in the area of Palk Bay and the
Mannar Barrier reef systems, is rich in biodiversity. There is an
urgent need to understand, catalog and protect the biodiversity of
this unique ecosystem.
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Livelihood development for fisherfolks. SHMRC
is now developing programs to address the poverty of the coastal
fishing communities of India. The Coastal Fisherfolks
Entrepreneurship (CFE) Program is being designed that will bring
together new technologies in sea farming that will be customized
to fit the village scale to enable fishing communities to benefit
from their traditional livelihood. The CFE combines the concept
of a business incubator and technology transfer programs to build
capacity and capability in a sustainable manner while promoting
the environmental awareness in the fishing communities.
Read
More..
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Public health.
Insect borne diseases, such as
malaria and leishmaniasis, are still endemic in India. SHMRC is
collaborating with other organizations to develop novel, nontoxic
compounds that will prevent the transmission of these diseases.
The more recent viral epidemic in India and other tropical
countries called chikungunya that is transmitted by mosquito bites
underlies the need to find effective means in prevention and
control.
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