KOCHI, 17 March 2026: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a major deep-sea research initiative to explore fishery resources around seamounts in the Arabian Sea, with a focus on cephalopods such as squid, cuttlefish, and octopus.
INR 5-Crore Project Under Deep Ocean Mission
The two-year project, funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences at a cost of INR 4.986 crore, aims to document the diversity, ecology, distribution, and biology of cephalopods in seamount ecosystems of the eastern Arabian Sea.
The initiative is being implemented under Vertical-3 of the Deep Ocean Mission, a flagship programme of the Government of India.
Focus on AI-Driven Marine Research
A key highlight of the project is the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools for automated identification of cephalopod species, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus.
These tools are expected to significantly enhance marine biodiversity research and species classification, improving efficiency and accuracy in deep-sea studies.
Collaborative Research Effort
The project is being carried out by CMFRI’s Kochi headquarters and its Mangaluru Regional Centre, in collaboration with National Institute of Technology Surathkal.
Exploratory Surveys Underway
The first exploratory survey targeting selected seamounts in the southeastern Arabian Sea was conducted onboard the research vessel F.V. Silver Pompano, operating from Kochi.
The expedition was led by:
- Divya Viswambharan, Senior Scientist
- Kavitha M, Scientist
In parallel, another scientific team led by V Venkatesan carried out sampling operations from Azheekal Fishing Harbour.
Boost to Deep-Sea Biodiversity Research
The study focuses on documenting cephalopod assemblages associated with seamount habitats, which remain relatively unexplored.
Geetha Sasikumar, Principal Investigator of the project, said the findings will provide valuable insights into deep-sea ecology and biodiversity, supporting the development of strategies for sustainable management and conservation of seamount-associated fishery resources.
With increasing interest in deep-sea resources, the project is expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in marine research, AI-driven taxonomy, and sustainable fisheries management.
The initiative marks a significant step toward unlocking the ecological and economic potential of deep-sea ecosystems in the Arabian Sea.
