NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY
KARACHI, PAKISTAN
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The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is located in Karachi. It was established in 1981 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan (MoST). The main area of research of the Institute is the north Arabian Sea and beyond. The oceanic and atmospheric processes of the north Arabian Sea modify our climate, offer numerous living and non-living resources, Oceanographic research brings together all the scientific disciplines needed to study the ocean: physics, chemistry, biology, geology & geophysics, ocean technology, coastal hydraulics & coastal zone management


NIO head office

The ambit of oceanography extends from the atmosphere to the ocean floor and below it, and from the coastal region to the great mass of the deep oceans.

Pakistan coast is about 1046 Km long extending from Indian border in the east to the Iranian border in the west. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan is about 240,000 sq. km, with additional continental shelf area of about 50,000 sq. km. As such, the total maritime zone of Pakistan is over 30% of the land area. This region is characterized by distinctive oceanic phenomena, that produces rich fisheries, mineral, and hydrocarbon resource.

The important oceanic phenomena and features are:

  1.             Monsoon and climatic change
  2.             Upwelling and circulation
  3.             Mixing of Red Sea and Gulf Water
  4.             Indus estuary and sedimentation
  5.             Submarine Indus Cone
  6.             Murray Fracture Zone (Leaky Transform Fault)
  7.             Makran Subduction Margin

Extensive survey, data collection and research are required to understand the above processes and features which have direct bearing on locating the living and nonliving resources and their sustainable exploitation and conservation. The programme of NIO has been oriented and set up to develop the capabilities and facilities for achieving these objectives.

The marine resources of Pakistan have so far remained unexploited and concerted efforts for oceanographic research in the country is required.

The Institute is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan. The main components involved in the development of NIO are :
(1) Development of professional and technical manpower
(2) Development of institutional capability
(3) Management capability for marine data acquisition and processing.

The first objective to a great extent has been achieved. Presently 30 scientists are involved in oceanographic activities, 26 of these have been trained abroad. In addition there are, 39 supports staff on the roll of NIO. The Institute has its own building on the Clifton shore. For deep sea research NIO has access to a hydrographic cum oceanographic Research Vessel "Behr Paima". In addition to the main laboratories at Karachi, NIO also has a research station at Gwadar Baluchistan coast. NIO in a relatively a short period of its existence has made optimum use of the limited resources. It has initiated, conducted and completed a number of projects related to ocean research and has effectively responded to a wide variety of user's requirements, that is marine industry and national institutions involved in the field of marine research.

NIO was actively involved in the international Programme in oceanography such as the North Arabian Sea Environment and Ecosystem Research (NASEER) , Pak-Dutch programme examined the geology and geophysical aspects of Pakistan coastal and offshore areas; the Pak-German (PAKOMIN) programme evaluated the characteristic oxygen minimum zones during pre and post monsoonal periods.

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