**Executive Summary**
This report details the Ministry of Earth Sciences' efforts to monitor and conserve marine living resources within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It outlines the primary roles of the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) and partner institutions in conducting research cruises and stock assessments. The information was formally submitted to the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2026, highlighting achievements in biodiversity exploration and the use of advanced monitoring technologies.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Institutional Framework and Programmes**
* **CMLRE Mandate:** Acts as the primary body for the assessment, monitoring, and development of conservation management strategies for marine living resources in the EEZ.
* **Marine Living Resources (MLR) Programme:** Focused on the survey and monitoring of resources across the Indian EEZ.
* **Deep Ocean Mission (DOM):** CMLRE serves as the nodal agency for exploring and conserving deep-sea biodiversity, specifically in hotspots like seamounts.
* **ICAR-CMFRI Framework:** Conducts monitoring in territorial waters and the EEZ based on two pillars: Landings-based Production Monitoring and Life History Traits-based Stock Assessment.
* **Research Activities and Data Collection**
* **Research Cruises:** A total of 22 scientific cruises were conducted over the last three years, including 17 in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, 1 in the Indian Ocean, and 4 across the Lakshadweep and Andaman seas.
* **Stock Assessments:** Annual surveys are conducted by the Fisheries Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-CMFRI, resulting in the National Stock Assessment (2022) and IOTC-linked data submissions (2023-24).
* **Data Utilization:** Information gathered is used for habitat assessment, identifying spawning grounds, studying ocean acidification, and developing genetic databases.
* **Advanced Technologies and Infrastructure**
* **Assessment Techniques:** Utilization of innovative methods such as environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, genomic analyses, and conventional sampling.
* **Observation Tools:** Implementation of the FORV Sagar Sampada vessel, glider missions, drifters, and Argo float deployments to strengthen ocean observation.
* **‘Bhavasagara’ Repository:** A national-level Marine Biodiversity Referral Centre in Kochi that houses 3,560 voucher specimens, with 70% representing deep-water and open-ocean species.
* **Digital Resources:** Augmentation of marine biodiversity databases through the Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS).
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Earth Sciences / CMLRE**
**Impact**
They are the central authorities responsible for executing the Deep Ocean Mission and managing national repositories. They must integrate multidisciplinary approaches to maintain ocean health.
**Action Required**
Continue the deployment of advanced observation systems (gliders, drifters) and manage the ‘Bhavasagara’ repository to support evidence-based decision-making.
**Fisheries Sector and Policy Makers**
**Impact**
These stakeholders rely on the generated data for sustainable fisheries management and the identification of breeding grounds to prevent over-exploitation.
**Action Required**
Utilize the National Stock assessment reports and biodiversity databases to implement conservation strategies and sustainable use of marine resources.
**Scientific and Research Community**
**Impact**
Researchers gain access to high-quality genomic data, voucher specimens, and expanded databases like IndOBIS for multidisciplinary marine research.
**Action Required**
Engage in scientific capacity-building efforts and utilize the FORV Sagar Sampada for further exploration of biodiversity hotspots and deep-sea faunal collections.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The primary administrative body responsible for the management, monitoring, and conservation of marine living resources in India.
Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE): The nodal agency and attached office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences mandated to assess and monitor marine living resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Deep Ocean Mission (DOM): A major government initiative for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation, focusing on biodiversity hotspots like seamounts.
Marine Living Resources (MLR) Programme: A dedicated programme implemented by CMLRE for the survey, assessment, and monitoring of marine health and resources using advanced technologies.
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI): A key research institute conducting comprehensive stock assessments and production monitoring across India’s territorial waters and EEZ.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: MONITORING OF
MARINE LIVING RESOURCES
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 11:54AM by PIB Delhi
The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), an attached office of the Ministry of
Earth Sciences, has been established with the primary mandate of assessment and monitoring of marine
living resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and for developing management strategies for
their conservation. The programmes under which this work is being undertaken are as follows:
i. Marine Living Resources (MLR) Programme of CMLRE for survey, assessment and
monitoring of marine living resources in the Indian EEZ.
ii. Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), under which CMLRE is the nodal agency for exploration and
conservation of deep-sea biodiversity in India’s EEZ, particularly in biodiversity hotspots
such as seamounts.
iii. In addition, ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi is also
conducting comprehensive and continuous programmes for assessment and monitoring of
marine living resources across India’s territorial waters and EEZ. The assessment and
monitoring framework operated by ICAR-CMFRI rests on two distinct but complementary
pillars:
a. Landings based Production Monitoring
b. Life History Traits based Stock Assessment
A total of 22 research cruises were conducted during the last three years for estimation of fishery-
resource-related parameters and marine resource assessment. 17 research cruises were undertaken in the
Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, 1 cruise was taken in the Indian Ocean region and 2 cruises each were
undertaken in the Lakshadweep and Andaman seas respectively. These scientific cruises were done for
mapping the living and fisheries resource assessment. In addition, the Fisheries Survey of India (FSI) and
ICAR-CMFRI conduct annual stock assessment surveys and provide national status reports such as
National Stock assessment (2022) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) linked fisheries data
submissions (2023-24).
The data generated through these surveys are being utilized for fishery resource and habitat assessment,
identification of biodiversity hotspots and spawning periods/breeding grounds of fish species, ecosystem
studies including ocean acidification, and development of biodiversity/genetic databases, thereby
supporting sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation. Further, the Marine Living
Resources programme of CMLRE incorporates advanced technologies and multidisciplinary approaches,
thereby improving monitoring systems and enabling better assessment of ocean health. These efforts
support evidence-based decision-making for conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.CMLRE employs advanced and innovative biodiversity assessment techniques, including environmental
DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and genomic analyses, alongside conventional sampling methods. These
approaches enable both qualitative and quantitative assessments of biodiversity.
The steps taken by the Ministry to strengthen scientific research includes implementation of the Deep
Ocean Mission for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation including:
i. Use of the FORV Sagar Sampada for multidisciplinary marine research
ii. Strengthening of ocean observation systems through glider missions, drifters and Argo floats
deployments
iii. Augmentation of marine biodiversity databases through IndOBIS and related scientific
capacity-building efforts.
In addition, ‘Bhavasagara’ is a designated national-level Marine Biodiversity Referral Centre established
at CMLRE, Kochi. It acts as a repository for deep-sea faunal collections from the Indian Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ). At present, the repository houses a total of 3,560 voucher specimens, of which
more than 70% represent deep-water and open-ocean species
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and
Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha on 1st April 2026.
*****
NKR/JKP
(Release ID: 2247538) Visitor Counter : 111
Read this release in: ही