In addition to 14 ongoing Projects which are being executed in Universities/Institutions the following new projects were sponsored during the year 1996-1997.

Ecology Restoration and Microsim Studies of Ashtamudi Estaurine system, South West coast of India at University of Kerala, Trivandrum.

Operational Forecasting of Ocean Waves at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Response of Halophillic Archaeo Bacteria to Chemical Stresses at Goa University, Goa.

Hallocine Fishery and Bio Strategy Oceanography of south Bengal at University of Calcutta, Calcutta.

Rock Magnetic Studies of Marine Sediments at University of Mangalore, Mangalore.

Hydro Geochemistry Thermal Structure and Sedimentalogy of Priyadarshini Lake, Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. 6.3 Manpower Development Twenty one new Fellowships were sanctioned during the financial year 1996- 97 in addition to 27 continuing Fellowships in the different disciplines of marine sciences including Coral and Seagrass Mortality in Reefs, Microbial Pathogens and Environmental Disturbances, Microbial Diversity in Marine Ecosystem, Microbial Pollution, Geo-Chemical Studies of Estuarine and Shelf. Sediments of Godavari (Bay of Bengal), A novel Construction of Potential Microbial Consortia for Efficient Removal of Broad Spectrum of Hydrocarbons and Heavy metals iin Marine Ecosystem, Larval Development of Decapod Crustaceans and Effect of Environmental Parameters and Pollutants on their Development, Cyanobacterial Biodiversity in the Estuarine Ecosystems of Dakshina Kannada with reference to some of their Biochemical characteristics; Marine Products in Unani System, etc. 6.4 Assistance to Universities Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam was provided financial support for establishing sea water pumping facilities, equipments and infrastructure for research and manpower training and for new Master degree course in Coastal Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology and two Post graduate Diploma Courses in Coastal Zone Management and Coastal Aquaculture. 6.5 Ocean Awareness Programme Exhibitions & Fairs The Department sponsored a National Aquaculture Week 1997 at Vijayawada, Chennai, Mandpam & Tuticorin between 24th January and 8th February, 1997. Workshops, open houses, fisherfolk/ farmers counselling and trade fair were conducted under this programme which was attended by over 1000 participants from the east coast of India comprising representatives of Aquaculture Industry, entrepreneurs, scientists, fish farmers, fisherfolk, students, bankers, etc. A wide ranging subjects including prospects of sea farming Technology, fish and shellfish disease, commercial uses of seaweed, waste water treatment, etc. were discussed, demonstrated and disseminated to the participants. It also provided a common platform for exchange of ideas/information between scientists and farmers on Sea farming for socio-economic benefit. Seminar / Symposia / Conferences / Workshops etc. In order to create a platform to exchange views between scientists, user communities and general public and also to support the Scientific and Technological activities about 42 International and National Seminar /Symposia / Workshops /Meetings/ Conferences were sponsored on Ocean Related topics during the financial year. Some of them are Geology and Geophysics of Indian Oceans-GIO 1996, Ship and Ocean Technology-SHOT 1997, Geomorphological and Remote Sensing Quaternary Paleocenography / Paleoclimate in Arabian Sea, Chemical and Biological Thermodynamics, Technology Commercialisation-TECHSHOP-1996, Remote Sensing for Natural Resources with Special Emphasis on Water Management; Quaternary Sea-level Variations, Shoreline Displacement and Coastal Environment; Mass Spectometry, Water Quality Issues, Human Psychology, 83rd Session of Indian Science Congress, Recent Research in Sedimantary Basin- Implication for Natural Resources, International Conference in Ocean Engineering, Localised Corrosion and Environmental Cracking, Bio-ethical Management, Bio Geo Resources, Natural and Technological Coastal Harzards, etc. A National Seminar on Coastal Ocean Regime and Developing Countries was organised by the Department on 21.6.1996. The purpose of the seminar was to generate discussions and have a brain storming session to receive appropriate inputs for the meeting of the Independent World Comission on Oceans from 1-5 July, 1995 at Reo de Janeiro, Brazil. There was general consensus that India as a major Indian Ocean Country should consolidate its position through regional and sub-regional arrangements, especially on the subject of sustainable development of ocean resources. Marine Aquaria, Oceanaria, Etc. To create awareness on marine life, a unique facility, an Oceanarium has been proposed to be established at Goa with the technical assistance of Department of Ocean Development (DOD) on Build, Own, Operate and Maintain basis. As the marine animals live in sea, it is hard to imagine the nature of marine life below the surface and variety in the marine environment. The advancement of submarine structural technology during the last few years has led to creation of under-sea observation systems such as oceanaria, etc. This permits the viewer to see the living habitats of marine animals under the natural conditions. M/s Goa Theme Park Pvt. Ltd. has been given the task of establishing an Oceanarium at Goa, by the Govt. of Goa. The facility will display the marine animals numbering about 6000 representing about 350 species including Sharks, turtle, rays, ornamental fishes and corals.