Presently the data relating to Marine living resources cover areas only upto 50-70 m depth. While the region upto 50-70 m is exploited almost to the maximum sustainable levels, the offshore region is lragely under-exploited and there is a reluctance on the available resources. A reliable estimation of these resources and the understanding of the likely potential, is called for. As observed by the UN Conference on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, some form of an international involvement in the management of the high seas fishery resources is necessary . As the resources upto 50-70 m depth stand fully exploited there is an urgent need to have a better understanding of the resources and potential of the living resources of the Indian EEZ.

Keeping in view the aforesaid, a multi-disciplinary and multi- institutional programme aimed at making an assessment of the marine living resources beyond 70 m depth within the Indian EEZ and correlating the fish abundance / availability with the oceanographic parameters, has been initiated during the 9th Five Year Plan.

The major objectives of the programme inter-alia are :

* To have a realistic and reliable information on the potential of marine living resources in the Indian EEZ, for sustainable development and management.

* To augment the sea food production and thereby the income of the coastal fishing community and the fishing industry.

During 1997-98, the Department launched the following projects in this regard: