The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched the DeepDATA mobile application to create a national digital repository of deep-sea fish species, promoting marine biodiversity documentation, citizen science, and scientific research under India’s Deep Ocean Mission.

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• The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) launched the DeepDATA mobile application on 23 July 2026 to facilitate scientific documentation, identification, and digital recording of India’s deep-sea fish species.
• Available on the Google Play Store, the application serves as both a learning platform and a field documentation tool for students, researchers, fishermen, marine biologists, and ocean conservation enthusiasts.
• The app provides species-level scientific information, including taxonomy, physical identification features, geographical distribution, habitat details, and conservation status of deep-sea fishes.
• Users can upload photographs and field observations collected during fishing expeditions, research cruises, and coastal surveys, helping create a comprehensive national database on deep-sea biodiversity.
• Developed under the Deep Ocean Mission with support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the initiative strengthens India’s capacity for ocean exploration, marine resource assessment, and deep-sea scientific research.
• The application incorporates a citizen science model, enabling public participation in biodiversity monitoring. Every submission is scientifically verified by CMFRI experts before being added to the national digital repository.
• Headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, CMFRI, functioning under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), plays a leading role in marine fisheries research, fishery resource assessment, and marine biodiversity conservation.
• DeepDATA is expected to significantly enhance deep-sea biodiversity assessment, marine conservation planning, species inventory, and long-term ecological