FAST READ
- CMLRE, Kochi is hosting a five-day Deep-sea Macrofauna Taxonomy School from 7-11 September 2026.
- It is organised under the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) of the International Seabed Authority.
- The focus is standardising methods for benthic biodiversity assessment.
WHY IN NEWS
- The programme brings together CMLRE, the International Seabed Authority, IORA and Korea's National Marine Biodiversity Institute.
- Reliable taxonomy and baseline data are crucial before assessing environmental impacts of deep-seabed activities.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- Venue: CMLRE, Kochi.
- Duration: 7-11 September 2026.
- Organised under ISA's Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative.
- Partners include CMLRE, ISA, Indian Ocean Rim Association and MABIK of Korea.
- Macrofauna are animals retained by standard benthic sampling methods and larger than meiofauna.
- Benthic organisms live on or in the seabed.
- Taxonomy identifies and classifies organisms.
- Baseline biodiversity data allow comparison before and after disturbance.
- The ISA regulates mineral-related activities in the international seabed Area under UNCLOS.
- Environmental governance of the deep sea requires scientific knowledge despite high sampling costs and large knowledge gaps.
PRELIMS
- CMLRE functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The International Seabed Authority is linked to governance of mineral resources in the international seabed Area.
- Benthic organisms are associated with the seabed.
QUICK REVISION
- Venue: CMLRE, Kochi.
- Duration: 7-11 September 2026.
- CMLRE functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
PROBABLE OBJECTIVE QUESTION
With reference to the above topic, consider the following statements:
- The International Seabed Authority has a role in mineral activities in the international seabed Area.
- CMLRE works under India's Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Benthic biodiversity refers only to organisms floating at the ocean surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only