Ocean Observations
(
Government
)
#OceanAction41827
Description
The primary purpose of accurate measurements of ocean parameters also contributes to a wide range of operational services including issue of early warnings. These observation systems have been deployed in various parts of the Indian Ocean through national program and international partnership.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has a comprehensive ocean observations network to acquire real-time, time-series data on surface meteorological and upper oceanographic parameters from the seas around India including from the Indian Ocean Region.
A wide range of ocean observation systems are deployed in different parts of the Indian Ocean for acquisition of specific ocean parameters on different spatial and temporal scales. These include moored buoys, drifters, current meters, wave rider buoys, Argo floats, tide gauges, coastal radars, acoustic Doppler current profilers.
India has deployed over 300 argo floats in the Indian Ocean and maintains over 19 moorings for time-series data. With the collaboration of USA, 70% of planned observation systems in the equatorial Indian ocean called RAMA (Research Moored Array for Africa-Asia-Australia Monsoon Analysis) has been achieved during the last 5 years. 10 years ago, there were no such moorings in the Indian Ocean.
India has also launched Ocean Satellite for applications to monitor the ocean colour and committed to launch 3rd satellite of Ocean colour monitor.
India has strongly committed to augment and maintain the ocean observation network in the Indian Ocean to help increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity which will also be particularly useful for small island developing states and least developed countries in the region. An amount of US$ 70 million is being invested annually for this purpose.
The Integrated Taxonomic Information system (ITIS) of the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) based in Kochi has been recognized as regional node of International Ocean Bio-geographic Information System (IOBIS) of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
As part of this system, about 120,000 records of marine species occurrence from the northern Indian Ocean have been inventoried from primary (actual specimens observation) and secondary (literature) sources and archived as database.
A new species of pycnogonid namely Ascorhynchus levissimus was reported for the first time from the Northern Indian Ocean. Besides that, an enigmatic sea pen namely Gyrophyllum sp. and a mushroom coral namely Anthomastus grandiflorus were reported off Nicobar waters.
Under the Census of Marine Life (CoML) program which was initiated for resolving taxonomic ambiguities amongst cryptic species, about 800 deep sea samples were collected, taxonomically identified and tissues of them were stored suitably for sequencing and further to develop barcodes. Initially, barcodes were developed for Hyalinoecia tubicola, Lysirude channeri, Bregmaceros nectabanus, Mitrella bicincta, Plesionika martia, Fissidentalium proforundum and Amphiophiura sordida.
India continues to augment the INDOBIS database.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.3 | Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Tanmaya Lal, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative