CMLRE releases national report on deep-sea fishery resources of India's EEZ
The Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) released the National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ on 20 August 2026, marking its silver jubilee.
Summary
The Ministry of Earth Sciences' Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) released the 'National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ' on 20 August 2026 as part of its silver jubilee. The report draws on more than 400 oceanographic cruises since the early 1990s under the Marine Living Resources Programme, largely aboard the research vessel FORV Sagar Sampada, across India's 2.37 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone. It covers the mesopelagic 'twilight zone' (200 to 1,000 m), underexploited deep-sea stocks on the continental slope, and distant-water species such as tunas and Antarctic krill. It also lists biodiversity hotspots including Kollam Bank, Angria Bank and the Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar islands.
Key facts
- Report
- National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ
- Released by
- CMLRE (MoES), silver jubilee
- Research base
- 400+ cruises since early 1990s under MLRP
- Vessel
- FORV Sagar Sampada
- India's EEZ
- 2.37 million sq km
- Hotspots named
- Kollam Bank, Angria Bank, Lakshadweep, Andaman-Nicobar
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Aboard which research vessel was most of the survey work behind CMLRE's 2026 national report on deep-sea fishery resources carried out?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — FORV Sagar Sampada
The Fishery and Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada served as the floating laboratory for the surveys.
Consider the following statements about CMLRE's National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ: 1. It describes the mesopelagic 'twilight zone' as extending from 200 to 1,000 metres deep. 2. It covers India's Exclusive Economic Zone of about 2.37 million sq km. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The report also names biodiversity hotspots such as Kollam Bank and Angria Bank.