The study by Susank Chigilipalli, IIT Kharagpur intern at the Maritime Research Centre, explores the integration of geographic coordinate systems and remote sensing for precise identification of aquaculture ponds. It emphasizes the ecological significance of mangroves and the negative impacts of aquaculture expansion on coastal ecosystems. The research outlines sustainable practices to balance aquaculture growth with environmental conservation, highlighting methods to convert geographic to UTM coordinates for accurate pond mapping. This precision-based spatial data aids marine spatial planning (MSP), enabling better resource allocation, ecosystem protection, and policy formulation aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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1. Mangrove Conservation: Highlights how aquaculture expansion drives mangrove loss, increasing carbon emissions and coastal vulnerability.
2. Sustainable Practices: Promotes eco-friendly aquaculture models like Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) to restore blue carbon ecosystems.
3. Precision Mapping: Uses satellite imagery, GIS, and coordinate systems (GCS & UTM) for accurate pond location and monitoring.
4. Policy Support: Provides spatial data crucial for decision-making in marine spatial planning, conflict resolution, and sustainable coastal management.
Research Intern, MRC