The Department of Ocean Development initiated Marine Satellite Information Services (MARSIS) programme in June 1990, to address certain aspects of remote sensing applications for coastal region and oceans. The ultimate goal of this national programme was to integrate remotely sensed information with the in-situ data collected by the conventional techniques towards generation of user-oriented data products for effective utilisation of ocean resources. Besides, the programme envisaged development of thematic ocean information systems for use in ocean development.

One of the major accomplishments of MARSIS programme was successful demonstration of generation and experimental dissemination of potential fishing zone (PFZ) information to the end users.

Towards effective delivery of data products and other services, the Department of Ocean Development (DOD) established, an autonomous institution, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) at Hyderabad during February 1999. The mandate of INCOIS is to synthesis, generate and disseminate user oriented data product to promote and coordinate the various endeavours in the field of Ocean Observation, Information and Services particularly with respect to seas around India, towards sustainable development of ocean resources, improving weather forecasting and planning of coastal developmental activities.

The vision of INCOIS is to be the knowledge and information technology enterprise for oceanic realm. INCOIS is designed to meet the user demands of data, data products and other consultancy in the coastal ocean realm with specific responsibilities as stated below:

a) Synthesise ocean and coastal remote sensing data with observed and measured data, generate and disseminate coastal and ocean data and data products in the form of sea surface temperature (SST), potential fishing zone (PFZ) advisories and other ocean features like waves, upwelling zones, oceanic eddy information, chlorophyll and suspended sediment loads, etc.

b) Provide ocean information consultancy services to the state and central government agencies and private sector.

c) Manage Marine Data Centres set up under National Ocean Information System (NOIS) and Marine Satellite Information Services (MARSIS).

d) Collect sea truth data and undertake and organise validation campaigns for Ocean Satellite Sensors.

e) Organise user interactions both in Private and Government sectors.

f) Undertake surveys and assess user demands, specifications of the Ocean Information Services, costing, marketing and marketing strategies, and

g) Undertake experimental Ocean State Forecast.

Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) Advisories:

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, retrieved from thermal infrared channels of NOAA-AVHRR are used for identifying Potential Fishing Zones along the Indian coastline and island regimes. Thermal features in high spatial resolution SST represent the upper ocean dynamics relating to biological processes. Thermal gradient information is transferred to a standard map of identifying surface dynamic features, which represent the areas of fish aggregation. Indian coastline is divided into 9 sectors viz., Gujarat, Maharastra, Karnataka & Goa, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa & West Bengal, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands for sector-wise processing of SST/PFZ. The text containing the above PFZ information and maps are transmitted to fishermen community through fax, telephones, telegrams and telex, media, etc. The PFZ information has been found to be useful for fishermen to reduce the search time and increase the catch per unit effort.

During the year, information on Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) was sent to about 110 Fish Landing Centres, twice a week i.e., Tuesday and Friday located in the nine maritime states. Over 300 fish landing centres located along the Indian coast, including Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands were contacted for feedback on the utility and effective dissemination and utilisation of PFZ information. Efforts were initiated to increase the efficiency of the PFZ forecast by integrating the data from Ocean Colour Monitor of Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-P4) launched in May 1999, which is generated currently using the Sea Surface Temperature data derived by NOAA AVHRR satellite. A market research has also been initiated to improve the delivery chain.

Programme on Array for Real-time Geotropic Oceanography (ARGO)

ARGO is an internationally coordinated project, which envisages deployment of 3000 autonomous ARGO floats in the World oceans over a period of 4-5 years. Each float when deployed sinks to a depth of 2000 metres and drifts for 10 days with ocean currents and rises automatically to the surface. While rising to the surface, the float records temperature and salinity of the layers, through which it passes. At the surface the float transmits the data to the ground station through satellite and again sinks to repeat the cycle of such operation continuously for 2-3 years.

India is also participating in this international programme and proposes to deploy about 150 floats in the north Indian Ocean.

INCOIS is co-ordinating implementation of the Indian component of the ARGO programme. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai is responsible for procurement, development, technology acquisition, assembly, integration, calibration and production, deployment, operation and maintenance of ARGO floats. The Centre for Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences (CAOS), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore will be responsible for organising the application of ARGO data.