CMFRI-CIFT study to harness deep-sea resources launched
A pilot study has been launched jointly by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) to explore mesopelagic resource exploitation within India's Exclusive Economic Zone. The research is funded by the National Fisheries Development Board under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
With participation from fishermen and commercial trawlers the study will estimate the untapped potential of mesopelagic resources. The outcome of the research will determine the feasibility of large-scale exploitation of these resources.
Mesopelagic resources (spanning depths of 200-1,000 m), including myctophids are among the world's most abundant yet largely unexploited fish resources. The study assumes significance as these deep sea resources have great industrial applications for fishmeal, nutraceuticals and bioactive compounds, said a press release from CMFRI here.
'With global concerns over overfishing of commercially important species used for fishmeal production, the initiative focuses on exploring alternative and sustainable sources, reducing the dependency on traditional fish stocks,' said Grinson George, director of CMFRI.
Better marine resource management
The scientists on the project are of the view that harnessing mesopelagic species can ease pressure on coastal and pelagic fisheries, ensuring a more balanced approach to marine resource management. The research involves estimating harvestable potential, developing sustainable harvesting methods, exploring value-added applications and assessing the feasibility of commercial exploitation while ensuring ecological sustainability.
'Rough estimate suggests that around two million tonnes of mesopelagic resources are available in Indian waters,' Dr. George said. CMFRI is committed to providing scientific insights into the distribution, biology, and stock assessment of these resources, he said.
George Ninan, director of CIFT emphasised the significant industrial value of these resources. He said that they form the backbone of industries in many countries, including Oman. Completion of the one-year pilot study will yield crucial insights to determine the best viable methods to utilise these resources, he said. CMFRI principal scientist Sujitha Thomas is the Principal Investigator and CIFT's Ramesan M.P. is the lead onvestigator.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
After Air India crash, activists warn of bird threat from 'illegal' meat shops near Navi Mumbai airport
NEW DELHI: The deadly in Ahmedabad has brought fresh scrutiny to illegal meat shops operating near the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a social organisation has said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Despite a warning from India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), these shops continue to function, the group claimed, according to news agency PTI. The concern centres on the potential for bird strikes caused by the slaughter and sale of meat in close proximity to the airport. Two Indian carriers, IndiGo and Aksa Air, have already announced plans to shift part of their operations to the Navi Mumbai airport once it opens — expected in August. The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed by NMIAL, a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), with a 74:26 shareholding ratio. NGO NatConnect, which has repeatedly flagged the issue of meat sales and slaughter in Ulwe — an area within three kilometres of the airport site — has once again raised an alarm, citing safety concerns. It has urged the DGCA to press local authorities to address the matter urgently. 'The slaughter attracts big birds, such as kites, which can pose threats to the aircraft operations,' said NatConnect director B N Kumar in a statement. The renewed concern comes in the wake of the Air India crash, in which a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, went down in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now All 270 people onboard, including 12 crew members, were killed. Investigators are probing the cause of the crash, and a bird strike is among the possible reasons being explored. Kumar said that the aviation regulator had previously acknowledged the issue. 'The aerodrome operator has been advised to act against the slaughter that can attract birds,' the DGCA said in response to an earlier complaint. However, Kumar alleged that "there has been no action against the illegal slaughter of animals and the open sale of mutton and chicken." The NGO also pointed to a recent notice from the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS), which is run by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The NOTAM — or Notice to Airmen — flagged 'lack of operational readiness' at the upcoming airport, but, according to NatConnect, it did not mention the illegal slaughter in its risk assessments. The NOTAM did list 225 obstacles around the airport site, including 86 buildings, 79 hilltops, 23 power transmission towers, 12 mobile towers and eight floodlight poles. The Maharashtra government, through its Aerodrome Environment Monitoring Committee (AEMC) chaired by CIDCO, has already issued a directive banning slaughter activities within a 10-km radius of the airport, the NGO said. Kumar said that after raising the issue with the Airports Authority of India, he was told the matter had been passed on to relevant officials at NMIAL. However, no action has been taken so far by CIDCO, which administers the Ulwe area. "We have drawn the attention of CIDCO's chief vigilance officer over such a grave lapse (10-km radius norm)," he added.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Alcohol industry asks Maharashtra govt to rethink excise duty hike, calls for deliberations
Expressing concern over the increase in the excise duty on Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) by up to 50 per cent by the Maharashtra government, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), the apex body of the Indian Alcoholic Beverage Industry, has urged the state government to reconsider the hike and hold deliberations with all stakeholders immediately. Sources in the excise department said the industry body was trying to protect its interest, but declined to comment on any possibility of a rollback. The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a hike in excise duty on IMFL, country liquor, and imported alcohol. The decision is expected to raise the state's annual excise collection by approximately Rs 14,000 crore as the prices of IMFL and premium foreign liquor brands are likely to increase by 50-80 per cent. The CIABC claimed that while the intent behind the proposed hike may be to enhance revenue collections by Rs 14,000 crore, the actual outcome may be contrary–driven by declining sales, rising illicit trade, and border leakages. The long-term impact could be deeply detrimental, not only for industry and employment, but also for public safety and overall state revenues. Stating that the CIABC had already written to the Maharashtra government urging it to start a consultative process with all stakeholders before releasing any final gazette notification, Anant S Iyer, Director-General, CIABC, said the hike in excise duty was projected to push maximum retail prices up by as much as 85 per cent, a step that could severely disrupt the market, erode the competitiveness of national brands, and jeopardise the availability of legitimate alcoholic beverages in the state. 'Such an unprecedented escalation in duties poses a serious deterrence to consumer access of established and reputed brands, compelling a shift toward lower-category products. This poses a serious threat to the stability of the IMFL industry in the state…such a move will have a far-reaching adverse impact,' Iyer said. He warned that higher MRPs often create a vacuum filled by illegal operators. The IMFL industry contributes approximately 60 per cent of the total excise revenue of the state.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Skoda to bolster pre-owned car business, targets double sales volume in India
Skoda India is targeting to set up more outlets, especially in lower tier cities as well as ramp up its pre-owned car sales business to increase its market share and revenue. Check Offers Skoda is aiming to scale up its pre-owned car sales business. The affordable premium car manufacturer that has witnessed significant success with the Skoda Kylaq and Skoda Kushaq SUVs now aims to ramp up its revenue in the Indian passenger vehicle market. In an attempt to achieve that target, the Volkswagen AG-owned Czech car manufacturer is now targeting to increase its efforts in both the new and used car segments, as revealed by a top executive of the company. Skoda India, which sold around 36,000 units of passenger vehicles in the country in 2024, expects that its SUV portfolio, which includes models like Kylaq, Kushaq and Kodiaq, will push its sales volume and market share in the country. In order to achieve that target, Skoda is planning to bolster its sales network as well, especially in the lower-tier cities alongside the top-tier cities. Speaking about the auto company's strategy, Skoda Auto India Brand Director Ashish Gupta said that the company ended last year with less than one per cent market share, which has now increased to 1.8 per cent in the domestic passenger vehicle market. "We expect it to be in the range of 2.5-3 per cent by the end of this year," Gupta said, while also adding, "We are looking to more than double our volumes this year. Our compact SUV will play a significant role, and in parallel, we are also expanding our sales network. Besides, we are also streamlining our product mix." Gupta also noted that the auto company aims to end the current year with around 350 sales outlets from 296 touch points across the country. These outlets will be set up across 200 cities in India. Currently, Skoda has a presence across 165 cities in the country. The Skoda official noted that currently 60-65 per cent of the company's sales network is based in the semi-urban areas. Gupta noted that from a ranking of 11th in the passenger vehicle segment, the company has now improved its position to seventh. "We would like to hold on to this position. Kylaq is going to play a pivotal role in the company's growth story," he noted. Gupta further stated that in order to scale up volumes, Skoda will scale up its pre-owned business this year, with a focus on many first-time buyers from the semi-urban areas to get into its fold. "If you want to grow the new car business, one needs to make its pre-owned business very now, almost 80 per cent of our facilities are equipped to handle certified pre-owned cars. Our network currently does around 3,000 cars a is to scale it up by almost three times by the end of this year," Gupta said. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 15 Jun 2025, 10:28 AM IST
