The Department has been promoting meaningful research in ocean related activities. Efforts have been made to create facilities at Universities and Institutions, IlTs by providing Fellowships and Associateships. Facilities on research vessels ORV Sagar Kanya and FORV Sagar Sampada have also been extended to the participants from the Universities. Arrangements for training scientists for handling sophisticated equipment on board the vessel have also been envisaged.

A Research Advisory Committee was constituted in June 1989 to direct the course, of future endeavour in oceanic research. The functions of the Committee among other things include identification of specific research project of importance and evaluation of output of the research projects from time to time. During the last few years, research support has been. provided on the basis of the advice and evaluation by the Research Advisory Committee. Major research and development programmes include systematic study of the marine flora and fauna as a source of new therapeutic agents, extraction of potassium chloride (technical grade) from mixed salt, integrated study of coral reef in Andaman & Nicobar ,Islands, etc.

During the year, the Research Advisory Committee reviewed the progress in the implementation of major research projects and approved continuation of funding support for 24 research projects initiated earlier. A new research project for studying the circulation pattern, using environmental isotopes was initiated at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.

7.1 Bio-active substances of Potential Therapeutic Value

Work under the project on drugs from sea initiated during 1991, in which ten laboratories, with Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow as the lead agency are participating, has already commenced. The materials collected and identified, samples stored in a national repository at the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa and submitted to a battery of 120 biological tests. About 200 samples have been screened and these will be analysed in depth for development of potential therapeutic agents, A computerised data base has been started and publication of quarterly 'Ocean Drug Alert' initiated.

7.1.1 Post-graduate Training and Research

The Department has been extending project and research support to post graduate programmes in some select areas of ocean science and technology which also provide opportunities for developing specialised manpower. Support for the unit for post graduate training and research established in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, was continued. One more training centre at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad equipped with sophisticated instruments and facilities is proposed to be set up with a view to fostering consistent commitment to long term research programmes. Institution of a few research awards in ocean sciences and technology and Antarctic research is also being considered

7.1.2 Integrated Studies of the Deep Sea Fan of the Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal has extraordinary geological and geomorphological features which hold a clue to the subtle fluvial marine interactive processes and subtler regimes of important resource materials. The nationally coordinated project on Integrated Studies of the Deep Sea Fans of the Bay of Bengal was initiated by the Department of , Science and Technology during 1986 with the objective of creating a comprehensive data base to enlighten structure, genesis and resource context of the largest submarine delta in the world. On the recommendations of the Planning Commission, this research project has been transferred to the Department of Ocean Development with effect from 1 January 1991.

The Plan of work during the 8th Plan period includes seismic imaging of the fan system and incisive approaches to enrich the ongoing 12 projects as well as acquisition of equipment, setting up seismological stations and development of ocean bottom seismography. Organisations participating in the programmes are Oil India Limited, National Institute of Oceanography, Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory , National Remote Sensing Agency and Central Marine Fisheries Research Agency and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

During the year, after careful evaluation of the research projects received from participating laboratories, financial support was extended. The work on this project will continue during the coming years.

7.1.3 Marine Chemicals

Under a research project sponsored by the Department the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar has developed technology for recovery of chemical grade potassium chloride from the mother liquor (bittern) left after production of salt. A demonstration plant of 900 tones capacity per annum based on the technology developed by CSMCRI is being set up at the Hindustan Salts Limited, Kharagoda. CSMCRI is providing technical guidance and assistance in the implementation of the project at Kharagoda. The Hindustan Salts Limited will supply the requisite quantity of bittern from their salt farm at Kharagoda for production of the mixed salt, provide other infrastructure and share the project cost partially. The successful operation of this demonstration plant is likely to encourage other salt producers to use this indigenous technology and reduce our dependence on the import of potassium chloride.

7.1.4 Study of Indian Horse-shoe Crab

A research project on the survey of the breeding ground and possibility of larval rearing of the Indian Horse-shoe Crab under natural and captive conditions, initiated during 1988, was completed in August 1991. Under this project extensive survey was carried out along north-east coast of India to study the occurrence and availability of horse-shoe crab. After studying the spawning migration pattern and environmental characteristics of the habitat, a new technique of artificial spawning under controlled conditions was developed. Series of training programmes were arranged to transfer the technology of controlled breeding to user community.