Deep Ocean Mission

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The government approved ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ on 16th June, 2021 to study biodiversity, impact of climate change, and establish an offshore marine station to explore source of thermal energy.

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The Ministry of Earth Sciences made a proposal on 'Deep Ocean Mission' aiming to explore Deep Ocean for resources and develop deep-sea technologies for unceasing use of ocean resources. It is a five year mission to be implemented in phases with an estimated cost of Rs4,077 crore. The first phase is of three years (2021-2024). Organizations such as ISRO, BARC, CSIR, DRDO, Department of Biotechnology and others will assist Ministry of Earth Sciences in implementing the mission.

Such expertise and technology is available only with five countries- US, Russia, France, Japan and China. India will become sixth country to adopt this technology. This mission will explore and mine strategic polymetallic nodules such as Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese in 75,000 sq.Km of area in the Central Indian Ocean basin.

“The mission will notice changes, because of climate change, to study more deep-sea biodiversity. There will be deep sea survey. There will be advanced marine station for ocean biology. And there will also be offshore ocean station (to explore) thermal energy as part of the mission," informed the Environment Minister.

It will conduct research on climate variables and support the Blue economy of the country that includes marine fisheries, off-shore energy and coastal tourism.

Six main components of the mission:

1. Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and manned submersible
2. Development of ocean climate change advisory services
3. Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep sea biodiversity
4. Deep ocean survey and exploration
5. Off-shore energy and fresh water from the ocean
6. Advanced marine station for ocean biology