Marine Biodiversity Museum (A Designated National Repository) Catalogue

• Main Authors: Manisseri, Mary K, Antony, Geetha, George, Rani Mary, Nair, Rekha J, Joshi, K K, Geetha, P M
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute 2012
• Subjects: CMFRI Special Publication; Marine Biodiversity

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin wasrecognized as a 'Designated National Repository' by the Government ofIndia, in December 2007 in consultation with the National BiodiversityAuthority under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. A Designated NationalRepository (DNR) is an Institution authorised to keep in safe custodyspecimens of different categories of biological material.The Museum offers a glimpse of the bioresources of the Indian seas.Currently the museum houses six holotype specimens, 878 finfish species,136 crustaceans, 217 molluscs, 44 echinoderms, 162 corals, 12 sponges,20 ascidians, 82 seaweeds and 8 seagrasses besides a dolphin and threeAntarctic birds. The Museum is open to scientists, teachers, studentsand the general public. The fact that students form more than 85% of thevisitors highlights the role played by the Museum in education.A catalogue of the specimens available in the Museum has beenprepared as it is expected to be of immense use to those engaged inmarine biodiversity studies. I sincerely thank Dr. G. Syda Rao, Director,CMFRI whose guidance and encouragement made this a reality.