DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

Brief Introduction

The overall objective of biological oceanography is to study the temporal and spatial distributions of populations of marine organisms and their interaction with each other and with their environment. The work is predominantly ecological, productivity at different tropic levels is studied in order to provide basic information required to understand the marine living resources.

In broad perspective of objectives the emphasis is being given to Fisheries Biology, Marine Ecology and Aquaculture. For direct underwater observation and study of organisms NIO has modern equipments.

The main research areas are;

1) Spatial and temporal changes in the distribution and breeding patterns of marine organisms in the coastal and deep waters of Pakistan.
2) Primary productivity in the coastal waters.
3) Food web and Mangrove ecosystem studies in the nearshore coastal environment.
4) Ecological problems created due to industrial and recreational activities.
5) Rearing techniques for the production of indigenous and priced species of shrimp and fishes for development of aquaculture.
6) Inventory and evaluation of living resources.