The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through its Kochi-based Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), has implemented a comprehensive program to assess and monitor Marine Living Resources (MLR) in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Over the last three years (2023–2026), CMLRE has undertaken approximately 19 surveys specifically focused on assessing fishery resources and marine biodiversity within the Indian EEZ.
The scientific data generated through these efforts is being utilized to support sustainable MLR management, marine conservation initiatives, and evidence-based policy formulation. Key applications include the estimation of potential fishery yield for the Indian EEZ (conducted every eight years), identification of Ecologically & Biologically Significant Areas (ESBAs), development of biodiversity inventories and genomic reference libraries, and identification of fish spawning grounds and seasons. The data also supports India's submissions for national and international commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG-14), and contributes to scientific reports on deep-sea and distant-water fishery resources.
Several specific initiatives are strengthening scientific research and ecosystem monitoring: long-term observations covering fishery resources, biodiversity, and environmental drivers across the Indian EEZ; establishment of the Bhavasagara National Repository for long-term preservation and documentation of deep-sea biological specimens; development of advanced scientific technologies and genomic reference libraries with digitized collections; capacity building and collaboration with national and international marine science institutions; and scientific studies supporting conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems and sustainable MLR management aligned with national priorities and international commitments. This information was formally provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.