Context: Recently, researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have found a rare Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis neglecta) from Sethukarai coast in the Gulf of Mannar.
About Scorpaenospsis Neglecta

• It is a rare bandtail scorpionfish found off the Sethukarai coast in the Gulf of Mannar.
• It is the first time that this particular species has been found live in the Indian waters.
• It was found during an underwater exploratory survey of the seagrass ecosystem in the region by the Kochi headquartered CMFRI scientists.
• The rare fish found camouflaged within the seagrass meadows is a rare marine species well-known for stinging venomous spines and an ability to change colour.
• It is called scorpionfish because its spines contain neurotoxin venom that can be extremely painful to an individual.
• The fish can even detect respiratory ventilation flows produced by crabs at a distance of 10 cm in a dark environment because of a highly evolved sensory system.
• The bandtail scorpionfish uses its lateral sensory system instead of eyes to hunt its prey.
• It has the ability to change its colour and blend with its surrounding environment to escape from predators and while hunting its preys.

About Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute

• It was established by the Government of India in 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and later it joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) family in 1967 .
• It is a leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world, headquartered in Kochi, Kerala.

Its Objective

• Marine Fishery Resource Assessment.
• Productivity and Production Enhancement through Mariculture.
• Conservation of Marine Biodiversity.
• Transfer of Technology, Training and Consultancy.

About Gulf of Mannar

• It is a large shallow bay forming part of the Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean.
• It lies between the west coast of Sri Lanka and the south-eastern tip of India, in the Coromandel Coast region.
• The chain of low islands and reefs known as Ramsethu (or Adam’s Bridge) which includes Mannar Island, separates the Gulf of Mannar from Palk Bay, which lies to the north between Sri Lanka and India.
• The Malvathu River of Sri Lanka and the estuaries of Thamirabarani River and Vaipar River of South India drain into the Gulf.
• Located on the south-eastern tip of the subcontinent, the Gulf of Mannar is known to harbour over 3,600 species of flora and fauna and coral reefs, making it one of the richest coastal regions in Asia.