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India to launch its first deep-ocean mission Samurayaan by 2026

CLIMATE CHANGE
Slow-moving rivers found underneath west Antarctica
On 14 May, Earth reported on recent discovery of how underneath rivers in Antarctic fastened the melting of ice sheets. According to the report. An international team of scientists drilling 500 meters through West Antarctica revealing a slow-moving water channel under the ice. The subglacial river which is observed to emerge only once a decade has now altered the assumptions on how the meltwater circulated under the ice shelf. The report stated that the discovery and subsequent study would help predict the sea-level rise. The expedition leader, Huw Horgan said that the slow flow of water does not mean a stable system but removal of sediments from the floor preserve could be a sign to larger floods. According to Horgan, the water from the subglacial lakes fills and empties in cycle leading to a flow into the sea. However he said that core sample by the research team indicate the possibility of large water flushes every 10 years which could lead to increased melting. (Andrei Lonescu, “Hidden rivers accelerate the melting of Antarctica’s ice sheets,” Earth.com, 14 May 2025)

EXPEDITIONS
India to lunch its first deep-ocean mission Samurayaan by 2026
On 13 May, during the national training programme, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Director Balaji Ramakrishnan announced India’s first manned deep ocean mission. The mission called as “Samudrayaan” will travel 6000-metre depth using a submersible vehicle “Matsya” built using indigenous technology is expected to be launched by 2026. The mission will carry three scientists to create potential for India’s deep-sea research to assess living and non-living resources. Ramakrishnan said: “The mission will be instrumental in collecting critical samples from the deeper oceanic zone, offering opportunities for scientists to understand the unique characteristics of the organism and the water in the region.” He added that the technology will be called “Samudrajivah” that focuses on “large-scale open sea age farming.” This involves monitoring fish biomass individually and water quality by submerging fish cages in the offshore and rich deep-sea zone to improve fish growth. He added: “The technology is expected to be one of the major developments in India’s food security.” (“‘Samudrayaan’: India's first manned deep ocean mission to be launched by 2026 end,” NIOT, 13 May 2025)

FISHERIES
Research finds new fishing grounds after reduced ice
On 13 May, research at the University of Strathclyde reported on emerging new fishing opportunities near the west coast of Greenland due to climate change. The new fishing grounds were a result of reduced ice coverage resulting in extended trawling although the research warns of over exploitation, ecological sustainability, and sediment dispersion. According to the study, the water suitable for fishing is expected to increase by 6.2 per cent by 2040 and 11.4 per cent by 2090s compared to 2010. The researchers called for a sustainable management of the fisheries to adapt to a changing environment. One of the researcher said: “The increase in areas suitable for activity could enhance opportunities, leading to increased economic benefits.” (“New opportunities for Arctic fishing 'must be carefully managed',” Phys.org, 13 May 2025)

SECURITY & DEFENCE
Canada’s military to deploy more forces longer in the Arctic budget
On 15 May, in an interview to CBC News, Canada’s military operations commander, Lt-General Steve Boivin stated Canada’s plans to expand its training in the Arctic by deploying more forces upto 10 months this year. He said: “We want to be in the Arctic on a near permanent basis.” He added that Canada’s well known military exercise “Far-North-Operation Nanook” would have additional elements for consistent presence and increased focused in the region. According to one of the defence experts, the expansion plan by the government is aimed largely to make the NATO countries follow trait to strengthen their sovereignty. This comes after the Canada government increased its investment adding USD 420 million as part of its defence budget aimed at increasing its presence in the far North. The government has also ordered the military in September 2024 to revise its schedule to conduct seven training regimes in its annual exercise.  Boivin said that the expansion move does not mean exclusion of the US but rather believed in regular interactions. (Murray Brewster, “Canada's military plans to be in the Arctic 'on a near permanent basis,' says commander,” CBC News, 15 May 2025)