BAY OF BENGAL NETWORK OF OCEAN RESEARCHERS FOR FISHERIES (BOB-NOR) LAUNCHED
In a significant regional initiative, BOBP member countries have formalized a regional network of experts to integrate ocean observations and climate information with fisheries management decisions.
The BOB-NOR was launched today 03 Nov 2026, at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi, on the sidelines of the TREVOR–SAFARI Symposium 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives, along with leading oceanographers and marine scientists from several countries, including the USA, Brazil, Chile, Portugal, the UK and Greece, to strengthen international scientific cooperation and promote the integration of oceanographic knowledge into fisheries research and management.
Unveiling the regional initiative, BOBP-IGO Director Dr. P. Krishnan said, “BOB-NOR will bridge the gap between oceanographic research and fisheries management by bringing together researchers and experts from the Bay of Bengal countries. The network will promote scientific collaboration and the use of ocean observations for informed fisheries management.”
The workshop, hosted by DoF, GoI was supported by GEO Blue Planet and Trevor Plat Science Foundation. Dr. B. Meenakumari, Former DDG (Fisheries Science), ICAR was the chief guest at the launch event.
BOB-NOR will complement the existing Bay of Bengal Stock Assessment Network (BOBSAN), which focuses on assessing fish stock status, recruitment, fishing mortality and catch information. While BOBSAN provides scientific insights into the status and exploitation of fish stocks, BOB-NOR will strengthen the environmental and oceanographic dimension of fisheries research. The two networks can thus work in a complementary manner to improve understanding of the relationship between changing ocean conditions and fish populations.
