Scientists Turn to Satellite Technology to Monitor Fish Populations Amid Ocean Changes

Kochi, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : Scientists are increasingly looking to satellite technology to track fish movements in response to changing ocean conditions. This innovative approach aims to provide vital information to fishing communities and contribute to the protection of marine resources.

The topic will be a focal point at an international symposium starting Wednesday in Kochi. Researchers from over 30 countries will gather to discuss how satellite technology and climate research can enhance understanding of changes in the oceans and their impact on fisheries.

The three-day ‘Trevor-Safari’ symposium, hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), will concentrate on utilizing modern technologies for monitoring marine ecosystems. Satellite data can assist in tracking changes in sea temperature, ocean productivity, and fish distribution. This information could help identify potential fishing zones, enabling fishermen to plan their trips more effectively.

Additionally, the symposium will address how climate change, shifting monsoon patterns, and extreme weather events affect fish populations and marine life. Changes in ocean conditions and water quality can threaten fish availability and jeopardize the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Discussions will also focus on methods to make fisheries more sustainable and protect marine biodiversity. Participants will explore how traditional knowledge from fishing communities can be integrated with modern scientific approaches.

The role of women and marginalized communities in the fishing sector will also be a topic of conversation. A special session, organized in collaboration with the biotechnology department, will examine how remote sensing can aid in monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems.

This session will follow a ‘One Health’ approach, linking environmental health with human and animal health. Dr. Grinson George, director of CMFRI, emphasized that the primary goal of these discussions is to better understand ocean conditions and improve environmental monitoring. This will ensure safe fishing practices, sustainable resources, seafood security, and the long-term well-being of coastal communities.

More than 80 international representatives are expected to attend the symposium, which is jointly organized by the Cochin University of Science and Technology’s Chemical Oceanography Department, the Trevor Platt Science Foundation, CMFRI, and the Marine Biological Association of India.

The event will also launch the ‘Bay of Bengal Network of Ocean Researchers for Fisheries,’ aimed at fostering collaboration among scientists in the region.