Panaji, April 29 (IANS) Two top Indian and Chinese marine institutes have signed a pact for joint research in mari-culture, coastal zone management and marine biology, says the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).

"The memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed for five years for joint marine science research between NIO and China-based Zhejiang Ocean University (ZOU). We hope to learn a lot from each other about marine science practices," an NIO spokesperson said.

"The envisaged cooperation and consultation in the chosen areas will be accomplished through joint research proposals, researchers and information exchanges, access to research enabling instrumentation and formation of an implementation committee comprising staff scientists and faculty from NIO and ZOU," he said.

Top Indian marine scientist N. Ramaiah and Wu Changwen from ZOU will be coordinating the entire joint research exercise.

While NIO is a top marine research body functioning under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), ZOU is a renowned public university, which specializes in marine research.