The marine environment and the productivity patterns determine distribution and
abundance of exploited living resources. Under the Marine Living Resources
programme of the Department, information on these aspects is gathered for the entire
Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on a seasonal basis through dedicated cruise of
the research vessel FORV. The project is implemented through the Regional Centre of
the National Institute of Oceanography (nodal agency) with the active participation of
Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE)-Mumbai, Fishery Survey of India (FSI)-
Mumbai, School of Marine Sciences-Cochin University of Science and Technology and
Department of Zoology-Andhra University.
General trend in the results of primary productivity measurements in the Arabian
Sea by the MLR cruises indicate that the maximum chlorophyll-a values were seen in
the (20-50m) euphotic zone. High density of secondary producers was observed off
Bombay, Ratnagiri, Mangalore and Cochin regions. The maximum density of fish larvae
was observed in Mangalore region.
In Arabian Sea, the observations were characterised by an up sloping of oxygen
and nutrient levels from western to eastern longitudes with significant gradients in
concentrations. In Bay of Bengal, the environmental conditions in general remained
steady with oxygenated layer up to 80m and having low nutrients.
3.1.2 Fishery Resource survey along the Indian continental slope
The project envisages assessment for demersal fishery resources of the Indian
continental slope by acoustic survey and trawling operations. Fishery Survey of India-
Mumbai is the nodal agency for implementation of the project. Other participating
institutes are Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)-Kochi, Department
of Marine Living Resources and Department of Zoology- Andhra University, Central
Institute of Fishery Education-Mumbai and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
(CIFT)-Kochi.
Four cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada dedicated to the project were carried out
in the Indian EEZ. Occurrence of deep sea lobster and deep sea shrimps were reported
from the Andaman sea at a depth of 300-330 m. Deep sea shrimps were also reported
from south-west coast in the 300-620 m depth zone.
3.1.3 Studies on the Deep Scattering Layer (DSL)
The project envisages detailed studies on the bio-composition, abundance and
distribution of the DSL resources in the Indian EEZ. The project is carried out by the
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute-Kochi with the participation of Fishery
survey of India-Mumbai, National Institute of Oceanography-Kochi, Central Institute of
Fisheries Education, Mumbai, Andhra University and Central Institute of Fishery
Technology-Kochi.
DSL resources between 150 and 500 m depth were studied by bioacoustics
through 6 cruises of FORV in the Arabian Sea, 3 cruises in the Bay of Bengal and one
cruise in the Andaman Sea. Surveys were conducted. The DSL showed diurnal
vertical migrations.
3.1.4 Studies on Toxic Algal Blooms
The project is designed to foster the effective management of, and scientific
research on toxic algal blooms, in order to understand their causes, predict their
occurrence and mitigate their effects. The project is carried out by the School of Marine
Science - Cochin University of Science & Technology, with the participation of National
Institute of Oceanography - Kochi, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute - Kochi
and Department of Marine Living Resources - Andhra University.
Samples collected from 147 stations in 5 cruises of FORV were analysed for
toxic algal presence. The micro flora included 152 species of algae. Eleven harmful
species have been recorded.
3.1.5 Benthic Productivity studies
The project envisages a comprehensive study of the productivity, nature of the
resources, conversion of organic matters, process of mineralisation, taxonomy and
community structure of the benthic fauna in the continental shelf of the Indian EEZ.
School of Marine Science of the Cochin University of Science & Technology is the nodal
agency for undertaking the work. Participating agencies are National Institute of
Oceanography - Kochi, Department of Marine Biology and Zoology-Andhra University.
A cruise of FORV Sagar Sampada dedicated to benthic productivity studies was
undertaken in shelf waters of the west coast. Sediment samples were collected from 58
stations from 30,50,100 and 200m depths.
The Sagar Sampada Cell at Kochi, which is operating and managing the Fishery
and Oceanographic Research Vessel Sagar Sampada and coordinating the
implementation of the Assessment of Marine Living Resources programme, would
eventually emerge as the full-fledged Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology in
the next few years
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