Aimed at addressing the challenge of under-documented deep-sea marine biodiversity, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has launched DeepDATA, a mobile application that enables users to explore scientifically verified information on deep-sea fish species and contribute field observations to build a national digital repository. The app is currently available on the Google Play Store.
Features and Functionality
DeepDATA serves as a digital learning platform for students, researchers, fishermen, and anyone interested in India's deep-sea resources. Users can browse photographs and access information on deep-sea fish species, including:
- Taxonomy
- Distinguishing characteristics
- Distribution
- Conservation status
The app is designed to encourage citizen participation. Users can upload photographs and observations of deep-sea fishes encountered during fishing operations, research cruises, or coastal visits. Every species record uploaded to the platform is verified by CMFRI experts before being added to the database, ensuring scientific accuracy and authenticity. Following scientific validation, these records generate valuable information on the availability and distribution of species in Indian waters.
Development and Funding
DeepDATA was developed under the Deep Ocean Mission project with funding from the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The app was developed by the IT Unit at CMFRI, with Dr Eldho Varghese serving as lead developer. The project is led by Principal Scientist Dr Rekha J. Nair.
Expert Perspectives
| Role | Name | Key Quote/Statement |
|---|---|---|
| CMFRI Director | Grinson George | "Fishermen could contribute to enriching the data, as they regularly encounter species from offshore and deep-sea fishing grounds. Their field observations can provide researchers with valuable information on the spatial distribution of species, the appearance of rare or lesser-known fishes and possible changes in their occurrence over time, leading to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of India's deepsea resources." |
| Lead Developer | Dr Eldho Varghese | "DeepDATA brings together scientific knowledge and observations from the field on a single digital platform, making information on India's deep-sea biodiversity more accessible while strengthening efforts to document the country's largely unexplored marine resources." |
| Principal Scientist | Dr Rekha J. Nair | "DeepDATA bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world deep-sea biodiversity." She added that the platform is expected to enhance research, improve biodiversity assessment, support conservation planning, and promote greater public awareness of India's rich but largely unexplored deep-sea ecosystems. |
Impact on Research and Conservation
According to CMFRI, the digital platform is expected to:
- Enhance research on deep-sea biodiversity
- Improve biodiversity assessment
- Support conservation planning
- Promote greater public awareness of India's deep-sea ecosystems
The app's citizen-science model aims to harness the field knowledge of fishermen and researchers to fill gaps in understanding of species distribution, including rare or lesser-known fishes. By combining scientific knowledge with field observations, DeepDATA creates a single digital repository that strengthens India's capacity to document and manage its marine resources.
The launch of DeepDATA represents a step toward digitising biodiversity data collection in India. For enterprise decision-makers in supply chain and logistics, such digital documentation platforms could serve as models for traceability and compliance in fisheries supply chains, enabling more transparent tracking of marine resources from catch to consumer.
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