“Bhavasagara” Referral Centre-National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna
Why in News?
The “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre, based at the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi, was designated as India's National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna by the MoEFCC on March 30, 2026. Operating under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Key Details
- Located at Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, Kerala, under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- Houses over 3,500 taxonomically identified, geo-referenced specimens of deep-sea fauna.
- Collection includes marine invertebrates (cnidarians, annelids, molluscs, arthropods, echinoderms) and vertebrates (elasmobranchs like sharks/rays, teleost fishes).
Core Functions
- Secure custody of biological samples, including DNA sequences and voucher specimens.
- Official custodian for type specimens of new deep-sea species found in Indian waters.
- Serves as scientific reference hub for research, validation, and capacity building in deep-sea taxonomy.
Strategic Significance
- Supports India's blue economy by centralizing deep-sea data for sustainable resource use.
- Aligns with UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030) for marine research and conservation.
- Aids deep-sea missions, biotechnological innovation, and biodiversity protection in Indian EEZ.
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