India's ocean development activities cover territorial sea extending upto 12 nautical miles, Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 miles (2.02 million sq. km) and continental shelf extending upto 350 nautical miles. In addition India has also been allocated a mine site of 150,000 sq. km in the Central Indian Ocean. The estimated potential of living resources in India's EEZ is about 4 million tonne of which 2.44 million tonne is currently exploited mostly from shallow water depth of 50 metre. The mineral potential of the submerged land mass, i.e. seabed and continental shelf is yet to be completely established. It is, however, known that there are placer deposits near shore areas which can be exploited for commercial purposes. The polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor are considered to be rich in much needed minerals like manganese, copper, cobalt and nickel.

In order to determine the potential of various sea resources, both living and non-living, systematic exploration and assessment of the oceanographic parameters is required. The two ocean going research vessels viz. ORV Sagar Kanya and FORV Sagar Sampada have been deployed for the scientific exploration of the oceanic resources and its environment. So far 80 research cruises of Sagar Kanya and 106 cruises of Sagar Sampada have been devoted for this purpose. The information generated by this activity is also supplemented to some extent by the coastal vessels operated by the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines which have rather limited capabilities.

During the year 1992-93 ORV Sagar Kanya completed ten research cruises (Nos. 71 to 80). Two research cruises were devoted to surveys of the deep seabed mine site in the Central Indian Ocean under the Polymetallic Nodules Programme. During these cruises bathymetric data was collected using the hydro sweep system. Gravity data for 13,700 line km and magnetic data for 12,200 line km were collected. Studies on radio isotope fluxes upto a depth of 4700 metre was carried out from the water samples collected from three locations. Bathymetric maps at different contour intervals for the areas covered by the survey were prepared on the basis of the data generated. Slope angle map of part of the area was also generated. The post processing software was modified to average and combine the data from the previous cruises to generate a single map of the area.

Three cruises were devoted to mooring and retrieval of the sediment traps deployed at three locations in the Arabian Sea and three in the Bay of Bengal. During these cruises sediment structure and tectonics of the Bay of Bengal was also studied by detailed bathymetry, gravity, magnetic measurement and piston coring.

One cruise was devoted to study the air-sea interaction processes and demographic conditions during the peak south-west monsoon of 1992 and to collect the sea truth data required for ocean remote sensing studies. Data on temperature, salinity were collected up to 1050 metre depth using CTD system at 87 stations in the area of study. Surface meteorological data and atmospheric electrical conductivity were also collected during the cruise.

Another cruise was devoted to JGOFS-INDIA programme to determine and understand the processes controlling time varying fluxes of carbon and associated biogenic elements in the Arabian Sea. One cruise was organised to collect the sea truth data for validation of satellite data collected by remote sensing techniques. The sea truth data collection includes sea surface temperature, surface meteorological observations and radiosonde data. The information collected is used to investigate the equatorial jet appearing during the transition period between south-east monsoons. The spectro-radiometer designed and developed by the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa under the UNDP project was tested.

Geophysical surveys over the north- western Arabian Sea were undertaken in one of the cruises. About 4700 line km of underway bathymetric,magnetic and gravity data was collected along 15 regional profiles. These profiles were planned to identify sea- floor spreading type anomalies in the vicinity of Laxmi-Laccadive ridges. Detailed swath bathymetric mapping was carried out over three seamount like features located within the continental margin. Apart from the geophysical work certain physical oceanographic data was also collected during the cruise for sea truth data (SST). A total of 135 observations were made for this purpose.

Testing of navigation equipment all scientific winches and winch cables was done in a cruise undertaken in the Arabian Sea in September 1992. The vessel was dry docked at Bombay from 21 March to 22 April 1992 for the annual survey and general maintenance/repair work of all scientific equipment and machinery on board.

During the year FORV Sagar Sampada completed 13 research cruises. One of the cruises was devoted to study of biogeochemical processes involving carbon and nitrogen and also to understand elemental scavenging process through U- Th disequilibria and to study the influence of oil spill. 4 cruises were meant for study of biological productivity of the EEZ off west coast India, 7 for resource survey, harvest and post-harvest technologies of fish, and one to study the evolution of thermohaline and current structure off Kochi. Ship board facilities were extended to Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR), Kochi, Central Institute of Fisheries Training (ICAR), Kochi, Fishery Survey of India, Bombay (Ministry of Food Processing Industries), National Institute of Oceanography Goa, National Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory Kochi, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, and Centre for Advanced Studies in Marine Biology (Annamalai University), Parangipettai. The vessel was deployed for 224 days out at sea mainly in the Arabian Sea. A total of 278 participants took part in the cruises.

In continuation of the studies carried out by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute during the previous years, the Institute undertook 4 cruises in the EEZ of Arabian Sea to study the various hydrobiological parameters affecting the biological productivity during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon period.

44 Stations were covered during pre-monsoon, 41 stations during monsoon and 40 stations during post-monsoon. The physical properties studied included pressure, temperature, conductivity and light transparency. The newly installed Seabird CTD System was widely utilised effectively. Chemical properties studied included salinity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients. The biological properties covered were estimation of primary production by 14 c technique, chlorophyll and pheopigments for which samples were collected from surface to 75 metre depth. Zooplankton samples were collected by using Bongo twin net.

The Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi with 8 participants and one participant each from the Department of Ocean Development, CMFRI and CIFT , studied the thermohaline and current structure, surface as well as internal wave fields at a stationary location (off Kochi) in the Arabian Sea during pre and onset phases of south-west monsoon. 3 moorings consisting of a vertical array of five current meters attached at depths of 10,20,40,60 and 80 metre, a wave rider buoy and a wave directional buoy were laid. Time series measurements of CTD and marine meteorological parameters were conducted from the vessel. 260 records of waverider buoy data and 400 records of Wave Directional Buoy data were collected from moored data buoys. 89 casts of CTD was taken at 3 hourly interval and 1 hourly data of marine meteorological parameters was also collected. Data pertaining to current metres as well as wave buoys were recorded on 1/4 digital data cassettes. Studies revealed strong tidal and inertial fluctuations in currents. Internal waves were found to be dominant around 40 metre depth.

7 cruises were utilised for evaluating the deep sea trawls designed by CIFT for harvest of demersal and semi-pelagic resources in th EEZ, to assess resource availability in deep waters in south west coast of India. Other objectives included standardisation of fishing gear for commercial use and development of post-harvest technologies for the utilisation of deep sea fish. Selective properties of square mesh and diamond mesh were also studied. The participants were drawn from Fishery Survey of India and the Department of Ocean Development.

Among the different gears tested, the bottom trawls hybrid trawl and 51 metre large mesh proved to be highly effective.

The average catch rate from l00 to 200 metre depth varied from 2478-3440 kg/h and the catch mainly comprised of thread fin beams. The catches above 200 metre depth contour appeared to be moderate .

Studies on utilisation of deep sea fish as potential material for 'surimi' products were conducted. Fish mince were prepared and studies on the effect of ice storage upto 24 hours on mince quality were initiated. Studies were also conducted onboard, on freezing of deep sea prawns and deep sea lobsters and on bacterial load of fresh deep sea fishes. Studies were also conducted on salting of under utiliseddeep sea resources immediately after landing. Storage studies and quality evaluation of the product after drying/smoking were also conducted.

Special efforts were made to ensure that the sophisticated equipment onboard are kept in prime working condition to ensure effective utilisation by the end user. All equipment onboard were serviced regularly through an Annual Maintenance Contract. A Technical Evaluation Committee was constituted to oversee the maintenance work. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, the Sagar Sampada Cell arranged for the procurement of most critical spare parts of some of the equipment. During the dry docking of the vessel, all transducers which were found to be fouled were cleaned. Major works such as engine overhauling, painting, deck side repairs, etc., were carried out at Cochin Shipyard Limited, during june-july, 1992.

Fish catches incidental to the research programme were handed over to the Integrated Fisheries project, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Cochin for sale.