Matsya Sandhana Kshetram (मत्स्य सन्धान क्षेत्रम्) is a non-profit Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) guidance application developed by Goa University for the fishing communities of Goa. The application combines satellite remote sensing, oceanographic science and geospatial technology to identify marine locations where environmental conditions may be comparatively favourable for fishing. It does not directly detect fish; instead, it analyses indicators such as chlorophyll-a, sea-surface temperature, biological and fronts, persistence of favourable ocean features, currents and coastal conditions to provide science-based guidance.
The application is designed to complement, not replace, the traditional knowledge and experience of fishermen. Fishing communities possess valuable knowledge of seasons, fishing grounds, currents, sea conditions and fish behaviour. Fishermen can use the guidance while contributing information from their own fishing trips. As more reliable, georeferenced fishing and catch observations are accumulated, these data can be used to validate, calibrate and progressively improve the PFZ guidance.
The vision of Matsya Sandhana Kshetram is to develop a citizen-centric, adaptive and scientifically robust fisheries decision-support system in which fishermen, scientists and technology work together. The long-term aim is to move from one-way delivery of satellite information towards a continuously improving system where satellite intelligence, ocean science and fishermen's knowledge collectively support safer, more efficient and sustainable fishing.
What is Needed?
The success and future improvement of the system depend on active participation by the fishing community. Fishermen are encouraged to use the application regularly, provide accurate fishing-location and catch information, and share their observations and experience. A larger and more representative collection of fishing-trip data will allow the scientific model to be evaluated against actual fishing outcomes and improved over time.
The application should always be used as a guidance and decision-support tool. Fishermen should continue to consider their own experience, local knowledge, prevailing weather and sea conditions, official advisories, navigational requirements and safety precautions while planning fishing operations.
Our long-term vision is simple,
Your Knowledge. Your Courage. Our Technology. Our Togetherness.
Matsya Sandhana Kshetram (GU-PFZ) has been developed using satellite Earth-observation, oceanographic, bathymetric, meteorological and geospatial information made available through international data services. Goa University gratefully acknowledges the organisations and programmes responsible for acquiring, processing, maintaining and distributing these datasets.
Sentinel-3 satellite data: Ocean-colour observations from the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) are used for chlorophyll-a and related biological-oceanographic analysis, while observations from the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) are used for sea-surface temperature and thermal-front analysis. Sentinel-3 forms part of the European Union's Copernicus Earth Observation Programme, implemented in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA).
Copernicus Marine Service: Ocean-current and associated ocean-state information used for the dynamical interpretation of Potential Fishing Zones is obtained through the Copernicus Marine Service.
GEBCO: Bathymetric information is obtained from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) and is used for bathymetric, coastal and marine-context information. GEBCO data are used for scientific and analytical purposes and are not intended as a substitute for official navigational charts.
Open-Meteo: Meteorological forecast information presented in the application is obtained through Open-Meteo, with attribution provided in accordance with its applicable licensing requirements.
Scientific Basis for Chlorophyll-a: The chlorophyll-a component of GU-PFZ builds upon the Goa University Case II (GUC2) algorithm developed by Menon and Adhikari (2018) for estimating chlorophyll-a in optically complex coastal waters. The method was developed using bio-optical observations from the eastern Arabian Sea and was subsequently evaluated using independent datasets from different coastal environments. The GUC2 approach provides an important scientific foundation for deriving biologically meaningful chlorophyll-a information in coastal waters, where conventional ocean-colour algorithms may be affected by coloured dissolved organic matter and suspended particulate material.
Reference: Menon, H. B., & Adhikari, A. (2018). Remote sensing of chlorophyll-a in Case II waters: A novel approach with improved accuracy over widely implemented turbid water indices. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 123, 8138–8158. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JC014052.
Goa University gratefully acknowledges all organisations and data providers whose open and authorised datasets and services have enabled the development and operation of Matsya Sandhana Kshetram.
The GUC2-based chlorophyll methodology, scientific interpretation, GU-PFZ scoring framework, processing workflow, PFZ-selection logic and guidance products presented through Matsya Sandhana Kshetram are developed within the Goa University initiative.
Acknowledgement of the above data providers does not imply that these organisations have developed, independently validated or endorsed the GU-PFZ advisories or the Matsya Sandhana Kshetram application.
Matsya Sandhana Kshetram
Developed by: Prof. (HAG) Harilal B. Menon and Dr. Arjun Adhikari
Code Managed by: Dr. Arjun Adhikari
Contact: pfz@unigoa.ac.in
