Scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi have decoded the whole genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps). 

CMFRI has said in a statement that this is the first time that the genome of a marine fish species from the Indian subcontinent is being decoded. It is a milestone in Indian marine fisheries and can also help in climate studies.

• Indian oil sardine, which is a trans-boundary resource, contributed around ten percent of the total marine fisheries industry of the country.
• CMFRI director Dr A Gopalakrishnan said that the decoded genome would be a valuable resource for understanding the biology, ecology and evolution of the oil sardine. It could be used to improve the management strategies for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of this species.
• The whole genome information can also be utilised for certification of the fishery and identification of the origin of catch. Small pelagic fishes like the Indian oil sardines can be considered as model organisms to study the climatic as well as fishing impacts on the Indian Ocean resources.