CENTER FOR COASTAL AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY, BHATYE-- RATNAGIRI

CENTER FOR COASTAL AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY, RATNAGIRI Recognizing the research potential in marine biology, the then Marathwada University established a center in the form of Laboratory at Ratnagiri in This is renamed in 2007, as Center for Coastal and Marine Biodiversity (CCMB), Ratnagiri. Since then, this center has been specialized in academic and research activities in marine biology, biodiversity, fisheries and coastal aquaculture. During 2002 – 2012, the research projects are undertaken in collaboration with Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Earth sciences (Government of India), Shivaji University, Mumbai University, Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth and Department of Fisheries.

Coast Length 240km Coast Length 167km Coast Length 121km KONKAN COAST, ARABIAN SEA, INVESTIGATION AREA BY CENTER FOR COASTAL AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY, RATNAGIRI (CCMB)

 Studied Biodiversity of Coastal Bivalves and Gastropod Molluscs, of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.  Survey, Collection of live Molluscs.  Preparation of taxonomic data and information base.  Finding out Economic value — Ecological — Threatened and Endangered  Human Consumption  Biomedical – Toxicological  Bio-prospecting of species,  Implemented all India coordinated Projects on taxonomy, capacity building on molluscs - funded by Ministry of Environment and Forests ( Govt. of India)  Six students allotted Ph. D degree. HIGHLIGHTS OF ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 2002 – 2012

VALIDATION, ASSIMILATION AND DISSEMINATION OF THE SATELLITE DATA ON POTENTIAL FISHING ZONES ( P.F.Z)  Satellite data displayed, disseminated through Electronic Display Boards, Thermal Fronts, Ocean color, Wind direction.  Latitude and Longitude, depth and distance of the zone identified as potential fishing zone  User Groups----Fishermen, Cooperative Societies, Government Fisheries Department.  Economic----benefits to fishermen by saving search time and fuel.  Feed back----Data collection and analysis for effectiveness.  Project funded by Ministry of Earth Sciences (Govt. of India)  Three students awarded Ph. D degree.

DEPLOYMENT OF WAVE RIDER BUOY (W.R.B.) FOR OCEAN STATE FORECAST  Validation, Assimilation and Dissemination of data on Sea surface Temperature, Wave height, Wave direction.  Collaborating Agencies – INCOIS, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Institute of Oceanography ( N.I.O.) (C.S.I.R.)  Cooperating Agencies – Regional Port Office, Department of Fisheries.  User Community – Fishermen, Navigating Officers, Maritime Board.  Project funded by INCOIS (Ministry of Earth Sciences)

Deployment of Wave Rider Buoy off Ratnagiri coast

SCUBA DIVING EXPERTISE AND TRAINING  Equipments – Six sets of scuba equipments, Snorkeling devices, Life jackets, Life buoy, Underwater photography unit and GPS  Training of students expertise – Six certified Scuba divers [Paddy, Australia], Two open water Scuba Instructors, and Three Dive Masters.  Applications :  Underwater Biodiversity observations,  Fish behavior,  Rescue of sunk boats,  Disaster management,  Training – Demonstration program at community level,  Under-water video shooting of the ecosystem.  MoU between CCMB And MTDC is prepared for Research And Training of Youth.

CCMB Scuba divers, diving off Ratnagiri coast.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS  Provided Guidelines to younger generations, Students, Researchers from different institutions in sustainable utilization of living resources.  Conducted Three National Seminars, Four Workshops and several P.F.Z. Campaigns at different fish landing centers.  Participated in Three International and Fourteen National Symposia, Conferences and Workshops.  Research Publications: Three International and 27 national  2 Proceedings, Symposiums.  1 Book, 18 Pamphlets And Posters

FUTURE CHALLENGES AND PLANS  Coastal and Open Sea diversity of Shellfishes, Corals, and Fishes.  Coastal Aquaculture of Bivalve and Gastropod Molluscs from zones.  Potential Fishing Zones, Ocean State Forecast, and Wave Rider Buoy forecast data and in-situ experiments to minimize the errors by using Soft Computing Techniques.  Skin diving and Open sea diving training and demonstration.  Post graduate Diploma course on Coastal Biodiversity and Resource Management.  Training course on Coastal Environmental Awareness  Education to fishermen community on field [awareness campaigns, group discussions, meetings]

MANPOWER REQUIREMENT PROFESSOR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOER. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR CURATOR FIELD ASSISTANT LAB. ASSISTANT LAB. ATTENDANT SCUBA DIVERS ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (THERE IS NO PERMENENT MAN POWER AT PRESENT)