The world ocean covers two third of the planet's surface. With growing human population and dwindling land based resources, the oceans are increasingly being looked upon as a major life sustaining system of our planet. A great number of scientific studies are conducted to estimate the resource potential and the complex ecological processes of the marine environment. This has resulted in the accumulation of large amounts of data /information. The success of accurate interpretation and forecasting depends on the efficient management and real-time dissemination of data /information.

Information flow on the biodiversity of oceans is vital as some marine species of plants and animals may perish due to increasing human activities, pollution and climate change. The seas bordering India harbour rich, and divers biota. However, information on these economically and ecologically important habitats is both scattered and limited and calls for systematic documentation, inventorisation and other related information which will be important in the proper management and sustainable utilization of these resources.

Marine plants have been of much less importance for the human population than marine animals. Inspite of their enormous potential, the actual utilization of the marine plants has remained rather modest. Amongst marine plants, seaweeds have been recognized to be economically and ecologically important in their role in nutrient cycling and increasing productivity of the coastal region. Seaweeds are valuable aquatic products which have contributed to human life, in terms of food for man and livestock and industrial products with a variety of applications.

Presently, the Indian coastline harbours more than 800 seaweed species. However, the proper documentation including inventory and taxonomy is lacking. The National Institute of Oceanography, Goa during its three decades of existence has been attempting to achieve this goal. The Bioinformatics Centre at the Institute has been working on collation of biotic knowledge of our seas. During the past 10 years the Bioinformatics Centre have been developing new tools and techniques aimed at efficient data /information management. The present product, a CD-ROM on "Seaweeds of the central west coast of India", forms a part of "NIO's Database on Marine Life of India (NIODMLI)" and is the fourth CD-ROM being released this year.

This CD collates information on morphology, taxonomy, systematics, economic uses, biogeography and related information of the 90 odd species of seaweed found along the central west coast of India. It is expected that the product will be extremely useful for educational purposes, accademics, researchers, student policy makers, and managers.

  
[E. Desa]