Bay of Bengal countries launch ocean research network for fisheries management

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The initiative will bring together scientists from four countries to study how changing ocean conditions influence fish distribution and abundance

By BL Kochi Bureau

Updated - November 05, 2026 at 01:25 PM.

FILE PHOTO: The Bay of Bengal Network of Ocean Researchers for Fisheries aims to integrate ocean observations, climate information and fisheries data. | Photo Credit: BALACHANDAR L

India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives have joined hands with oceanographers and marine scientists to establish a regional network of ocean science experts to strengthen the integration of oceanographic information into fisheries research and management.

BOB-NOR to link ocean, climate and fisheries data

The Bay of Bengal Network of Ocean Researchers for Fisheries (BOB-NOR) was launched to link ocean observations, climate information, and fisheries data to understand better changing fish populations across the region.

The network was launched at an international meeting hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), on the sidelines of an international symposium on fisheries and remote sensing.

The meeting brought together representatives from the four participating countries, along with leading oceanographers and marine scientists from the US, Brazil, Chile, Portugal, the UK and Greece.

Network to support climate-informed fisheries management

BOB-NOR will bring together ocean researchers, fisheries scientists and experts from participating countries to integrate satellite observations, oceanographic surveys, climate indicators and fisheries data. It will examine how changes in sea temperature, monsoon patterns, salinity, ocean productivity and currents influence fish distribution, migration, recruitment and abundance. The initiative aims to promote predictive, climate-informed approaches to fisheries management, moving beyond conventional catch-based assessments.

Initiative to bridge research and fisheries management

P. Krishnan, Director of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), said BOB-NOR would bridge the gap between oceanographic research and fisheries management by bringing together researchers and experts from Bay of Bengal countries. The network would promote scientific collaboration and the use of ocean observations for informed fisheries management.

The Union Department of Fisheries hosted the event, with support from GEO Blue Planet and the Trevor Platt Science Foundation.

Experts highlight evidence-based decision-making

Surabhi Rai, Joint Secretary, Union Department of Fisheries, said the initiative in the Bay of Bengal region could serve as a model for evidence-based fisheries management worldwide.

B. Meenakumari, former Deputy Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), said data-driven management was essential in the face of changing ocean conditions. Reliable and timely advisories, supported by key ocean parameters such as sea surface temperature, were crucial to helping fishers make informed decisions.

Published on November 5, 2026

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