Use of Technology to Conserve Marine Life in India

India is not really known for its corals, but the country’s massive coastline does have pockets of corals, found in regions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep, and the Gulf of Kachchh.

Given corals‘ environmental challenges and importance, the Indian government, along with multiple private organizations, is working to ensure their protection and conservation. 

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, plays a significant role in coral restoration and transplantation by studying the impacts of bleaching on hard coral species in Indian waters.

Using advanced climate modelling techniques, ZSI provides valuable insights for developing effective conservation strategies and timely interventions.

In 2024, India’s largest coral translocation project led by ZSI, involving 16,522 vibrant marine corals, was successfully relocated from intertidal and subtidal zones to suitable sites around Narara, Gujarat.

These corals faced potential destruction in the Marine National Park in Jamnagar district due to the construction of a new pipeline by the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation, which required replacing its 40-year-old, deteriorating pipeline.

Additionally, 2,000 coral cement frames (artificial reefs) were strategically placed to ensure the long-term preservation of marine biodiversity. Installing artificial reefs in India is part of ongoing efforts to restore marine ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support sustainable fishing practices.

The Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 937 artificial reef units across 11 coastal states and Union Territories, with an investment of Rs. 176.81 crore under the government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to promote the restoration of aquatic life.

Artificial reefs are engineering interventions designed to rehabilitate and/or enhance natural habitats, increase productivity, and manage aquatic resources, including habitat improvement.

Integrating Technology to Conserve Marine Life in India

In recent times, the Indian government is working on integrating advanced technologies with policy frameworks to improve the implementation and monitoring of marine life conservation strategies.

Satellite imagery, remote sensing technologies, and autonomous underwater vehicles, such as the C-bot, are used to monitor ocean conditions, including sea surface temperature, salinity, water quality, and coral health.

These technologies support early warning systems to protect coral ecosystems, enhance climate resilience, and assist in policy formulation to track ecosystem health, detect illegal fishing, and monitor coral reefs and marine protected areas (MPAs). 

Another autonomous government organization, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) provides early warnings of potential coral bleaching using satellite data, helping to protect coral ecosystems and support climate resilience efforts.

The Coral Bleaching Alert System (CBAS), a service initiated by INCOIS from 2011, assesses thermal stress accumulated in coral environments based on sea surface temperature. Information derived from CBAS is disseminated every three days, including hotspots, the degree of heating weeks, and time series products.

Furthermore, India is one of the leading countries in the GloLitter Partnership programme, a project of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to support participating countries tackle marine plastic litter issues. India has constituted a National Task Force that published the National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Litter from sea-based sources.

The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) collects vital information on the distribution of fish stocks, the composition of various species, and the effects of fluctuations in ocean temperature on marine biodiversity. FSI helps fishers adapt to changes in the marine ecosystem and guides sustainable fishing practices.

Additionally, FSI conducts awareness campaigns and educational initiatives for coastal communities to raise awareness about climate-resilient fishing methods and alternative sources of income for sustainable livelihoods.

Climate-resilient technologies and practices developed by leading institutions in the fields of oceanography, marine biology, fisheries, and coastal management—such as CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), are employed in conservation strategies for marine life.

Wrapping Up

Oceans are home to a vast array of species, including those which are still undiscovered. Protecting the oceans and their marine life is extremely crucial to the health of the Planet’s ecosystems.

Marine ecosystems, like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for many species, and their health directly impacts the ocean food chain. Even humans are dependent on the ocean’s resources for their food and livelihood.

India’s marine ecosystem is home to the incredible diversity of ocean life, including coral reefs, estuaries, mangroves, and deep-sea habitats, which support a rich variety of species.

The country’s vast coastline of over 7,500 kilometers, and its marine ecosystems contribute to a vibrant blue economy. 

Integrating technology to conserve marine life by providing tools to monitor, protect, and restore ecosystems more effectively will be critical for India’s ocean economy.

Technologies will enable scientists and conservationists to monitor marine ecosystems more effectively, implement restoration strategies, reduce pollution, and protect marine wildlife.