Kochi: India’s first manned deep ocean mission, Samudrayaan, is set to launch by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s oceanic research capabilities. The mission will see a 25-tonne, fourth-generation submersible vehicle, Matsya, descend into the depths of the ocean up to 6,000 meters, carrying three scientists on board. The vehicle, developed using indigenous technology, is designed to withstand the extreme pressures and temperatures of the deep ocean, with a hull constructed from durable titanium.
Speaking at the inauguration of a five-day national training program on fisheries in the blue economy, Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), emphasized the mission’s transformative potential for India’s deep-sea exploration. He highlighted the potential for both deep-sea research and tourism, as well as the chance to assess living and non-living ocean resources. The Samudrayaan mission will provide invaluable opportunities for collecting samples from the deep ocean, aiding scientists in understanding the unique organisms and water characteristics in these unexplored regions.
The launch will be conducted in phases, with the crucial 500-meter depth trial expected to occur by the end of this year. A full deep dive, anticipated to last four hours for descent and ascent, will follow. Ramakrishnan also mentioned a groundbreaking technology, Samudrajivah, developed to enhance large-scale open sea fish farming. The technology, currently in the demonstration phase, involves submerged, electronically monitored fish cages that optimize fish growth by utilizing the nutrient-rich deep-sea environment. This innovation is expected to be pivotal for India’s food security, as it allows for remote monitoring of fish biomass, growth, movement, and water quality.
These advancements are integral to the sustainable development of India’s marine fisheries sector and will play a key role in bolstering the country’s blue economy. Dr. Grinson George, Director of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), emphasized the importance of integrating NIOT’s technology with CMFRI’s marine research to advance India’s blue economy. He underscored the need for technological advancements to harness the potential of mariculture, including seaweed cultivation, and called for early warning systems to help manage jellyfish and harmful algal blooms that impact the fishing community.
The training program, which aims to enhance understanding of fisheries’ role in the blue economy, was jointly organized by CMFRI and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). Key figures in the field, including former directors of prominent oceanographic institutions, also participated in the event.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
