The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, has received national recognition for its Bhavasagara Referral Centre as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna. The designation, made under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, strengthens India’s capacity to preserve, study, and document marine biodiversity from deep-sea ecosystems. It also supports long-term scientific reference for rare and newly discovered species from Indian waters.
National Repository Status
The Bhavasagara Referral Centre will function as an official national facility for deep-sea biological collections. It will maintain voucher specimens, preserve associated scientific data, and serve as the custodian of type specimens of new deep-sea species. This makes it an important institutional base for marine taxonomy and biodiversity documentation.
Collection and Scientific Value
The centre currently holds more than 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens. The collection includes a wide range of marine organisms such as:
- Cnidarians, annelids, molluscs, arthropods, and echinoderms.
- Elasmobranchs and teleostean fishes.
- Specimens with linked genetic data, including DNA sequences.
This collection provides a reference base for future research on deep-sea ecosystems and species diversity.
Role in Marine Conservation
The repository will support India’s marine biodiversity framework and the broader blue economy. It will help in capacity building in deep-sea taxonomy and strengthen scientific understanding of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and adjacent deep seas. The facility also aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Significance for India
The designation marks a major step in marine conservation and ocean science. It centralises the custody of deep-sea specimens and genetic material, improving research access and long-term preservation. It also creates a national platform for collaboration among researchers, academic institutions, and environmental stakeholders.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026