Satellite-Based Marine Ecological Services for the Indian Ocean Region

Abstract

AbstractIndia has a vast coastline of ~7,500 km encompassing the west coast (eastern Arabian Sea), east coast (western Bay of Bengal), and islands. The coastal water of India is rich in a wide variety of marine biotic and abiotic resources that support the livelihood of millions through fishery, recreational activities, tourism, marine commerce, maritime logistics, education-research, etc. However, frequent phytoplankton blooms, jellyfish swarming (and beach stranding), and bleaching of coral reefs are exerting adverse impacts on the coastal water quality and ecological services. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), an autonomous body under the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences, has taken the initiative to monitor and disseminate information/warnings on the above-mentioned perturbations. INCOIS has operationalized satellite-based Algal Bloom Information Service (ABIS) and Coral Bleaching Alert System (CBAS) for monitoring phytoplankton blooms and coral bleaching, respectively. For monitoring jellyfish swarming, environmental triggers have been identified based on favorable conditions and a conceptual framework has been prepared for the possible generation of Jellyfish Aggregation Advisory Service (JAAS). Apart from assisting policymakers/researchers in developing sustainable ocean management strategies, demarcating marine protected areas, and conducting scientific research, these services also complement other satellite-based ecosystem services.KeywordsINCOISIndiaSatelliteAlgal BloomCoral bleachingJellyfish swarming