Systematic exploration of the sea floor topography and of oceanographic parameters and biomass distribution in different parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Central Indian Ocean was started in 1983-84 using the multipurpose research vessels, ORV Sagar ) Kanya and FORV Sagar Sampada. These vessels have respectively completed (December 1990) 59 and 80 research cruises. During these cruises physical oceanographic studies were carried out towards developing a preliminary predictive model of coastal circulation patterns on the western continental shelf as well as biological oceanographic studies of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Work was also initiated to study the heat budget of the oceans, the course of monsoon depressions and of tidal and pollution regimes. Deep sea fishery resources-of-the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the other parts of the Indian Ocean were also studied.