A team of scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kerala has made a groundbreaking achievement by successfully decoding the entire genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps). This significant milestone marks the first time that the genome of a marine fish species from the Indian subcontinent has been deciphered, holding immense implications for Indian marine fisheries.
The breakthrough comes at a crucial time, given the Indian oil sardine’s pivotal role in the region’s food supply and its susceptibility to fluctuations in catch caused by climate change.
Indian oil sardines are a dietary staple for both daily fish consumers in Kerala and gastronomes who value the fish’s exceptional quality. Sardine fisheries contribute substantially to the Indian economy by providing thousands of job opportunities each year and meeting the nutritional needs of the fish-eating population.
In addition to decoding the genome, researchers have identified the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) found in oil sardines. This discovery sheds light on the genomic mechanisms underpinning the fish’s high nutritional value. These fatty acids are crucial for maintaining human health.
The decoding of the Indian Oil Sardine genome holds multiple benefits, including support for climate studies, improved fisheries management, enhanced sustainability research, and a better understanding of the environmental and oceanographic factors that contribute to sustainability. Furthermore, these findings will aid in tracing the origin of sardine catches.
Indian oil sardines, as small pelagic fishes, serve as model organisms for studying the effects of climate and fishing on Indian Ocean resources in response to environmental and oceanographic variations, making them valuable for climate research.
Moreover, sardines occupy a vital ecological role within the marine ecosystem, acting as an intermediary link in the food chain and serving as prey for larger predators. The decoded genome provides a valuable tool for studying how fish adapt to climate change, according to CMFRI Director A. Gopalakrishnan, who hailed this achievement as a “milestone.”
The decoded genome spans 1.077 gigabytes in size and includes a total of 46,316 protein-coding genes. This research accomplishment was made possible through cutting-edge next-generation sequencing technology, led by a team of researchers under the guidance of Sandhya Sukumaran, the principal scientist at CMFRI’s Marine Biotechnology Division. The results have been published in the journal Scientific Data of Nature.
The Indian oil sardine is a critical fisheries resource in the Indian subcontinent, contributing approximately 10% to India’s total marine fisheries industry. Among the notable findings of the study is the identification of two highly distinct stocks of Indian oil sardines, one inhabiting Indian waters and the other in the Gulf of Oman.