The programme was initiated by the Department in 1990, with a view to making available satellite derived ocean data and data products for operational use. In phase-I of the MARSIS (1990-93), emphasis was given for the creation of necessary infrastructure facilities for retrieval, analysis and validation of satellite derived data and for dissemination of the data products at the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad and Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad. The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa has been equipped for collection of sea truth data required for validation purposes. Modelling component of the programme has been entrusted to the Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation (C-MMACS) Bangalore. Storage and dissemination of MARSIS data and data products is done through five MARSIS data centres located at NRSA-Hyderabad, NIO-Goa, Institute of Ocean Management (IOM)- Madras, Orissa, Remote Sensing Application Centre (ORSAC)- Bhubaneswar and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)- Kochi. In Phase I of MARSIS, two of the data products viz, Sea Surface Temperature (SST) maps and Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisory are made operationally available. 38 facsimile stations have been opened at the major fish landing centres of the country for near real time reception of PFZ advisory. User promotion activities have been undertaken to popularise these data products.

In phase-II of MARSIS (1993-97), the PFZ advisory is being further refined. Besides, other data products such as chlorophyll maps, monthly mean heat budget maps, histogram on monthly averaged mixed layer depth variation, weekly averaged ocean eddy maps, models for hindcast / forecast of waves, wave energy potential atlases and maps on wetland / landform categories and erosional / depositional features of the coastal areas are proposed to be made operationally available.

The major achievements/ activities under this programme during 1994-95 are given below;

* Generation and dissemination of SST maps and PFZ advisory on a routine basis.

* Development of a new algorithm for retrieval of vertical profiles of temperature and moisture from NOAA-TOVS information. (Utility of this data in detection of cyclones is being investigated.)

* Fifteen PFZ user interaction camps were conducted covering the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Orissa, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. Each of the above camps were attended by about 100 fishermen. Validation of the PFZ advisory were carried out and results showed reduced search time and better catch per unit effort with the use of PFZ advisories.

* An algorithm for estimating heat budget from satellite imageries was developed.

* Two new algorithms for retrieving ocean surface wind vectors from scatterometer data were developed. Weekly/ monthly averaged wind field maps of the Indian oceanic region were generated.

* A numerical ocean wave forecast/ hindcast model of coupled hybrid class was developed for the seas around India. It provides medium range forecast wavefield as output.

* An algorithm for retrieval of Mixed Layer Deapth (MLD) from temperature profiles of the Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal was developed.

* Quantitative suspended sediment mapping for Kochi and Neendakara on the Kerala coast and Tuticorin and Ennore on the Tamilnadu coast was taken up.

* Coastal wet-land and shore-line change mapping of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra coasts in 1:50000 scale was completed. Shore-line change mapping using digital techniques was carried out for Hanovar and Karwar regions.

* As part of the Coastal Zone Information System (CZIS) for Orissa, 17 thematic maps on Mahanadi estuary mangrove were prepared. Using the Geographical Information System (GIS) potential brackishwater aquaculture sites along the Orissa coast was delineated. A GIS based CZIS for Rameswaram marine park was completed.

* 3 drifting buoys were deployed for collection of in-situ met-ocean data.

* A CONVEX 3820 super computer and High performance Workstations were acquired for modelling activities at CMMACS, Bangalore.