How does underwater commercial shipping noise impact marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods? In the latest issue of IJUDA (Vol. 01, 2026), our former Research Intern Varsha Mathews from St. Stephens College, Delhi University, examines the critical balance between maritime commerce and acoustic habitat protection. Key highlights: • Disrupted Soundscapes: Sound is the primary sensory medium underwater. Chronic low-frequency vessel noise masks communication, navigation, and foraging signals. • Ecological & Economic Strain: From blue whales to commercial fisheries, noise pollution causes physiological stress, alters migration routes, and risks billions in productivity losses for coastal communities. • Actionable Solutions: Mitigating noise demands data-driven Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), AI-powered Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), dynamic rerouting, and vessel quieting standards aligned with SDG 14. At the Maritime Research Centre (MRC), Pune, we are actively advancing the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) framework. By uniting AI-driven acoustic mapping with MSP toolkits, MRC is bridging operational maritime needs with sustainable ocean governance. 🔗 Read the full paper: [t.ly/GDzqf] Important Note: Please log in with your credentials to access the full paper. @Arnab_UDA, @MRCPune, @StStephensClg , @moesgoi, @moefcc, @shipmin_india, @incoismoes, @IMOHQ, @IocUnesco. #OceanAcoustics #BlueEconomy #NIO #StStephensCollege #MarineConservation #MRCPune #UDA #IJUDA #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #UnitedNations

Translating global maritime policy into technical practice! 🌊⚓ As #WMD2026 convenes in Busan under "From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence," Maritime Research Center (MRC), Pune is launching its Flagship 1-Day Career Counselling Programme. The $100B+ Blue Economy & Underwater Domain Awareness (#UDA) landscape needs specialized technical talent. Join us to bridge the gap between engineering theory and real-world ocean innovation. What we cover: 🔹 The UDA Framework (strategic, economic & ecological) 🔹 High-growth roles in marine robotics, acoustics & defense tech 🔹 MRC research internships & hands-on mentorship 🔹 1-on-1 roadmapping for PG research & global fellowships 📍 Format: Offline, Online and Hybrid (MRC, Pune) 👥 For: Engineering & Multidisciplinary UG/PG students, researchers & faculty 🔗 Register here: [l1nq.com/6lm1jwi] "For more information, email us at : [[email protected]] #WorldMaritimeDay #WMD2026 #MaritimeExcellence #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #UDA #MaritimeResearchCenter #MRC #Pune #BlueEconomy #MarineTechnology #OceanAcoustics #EngineeringCareers #CareerCounselling #SkillIndia #MRCPune #OceanTech

Unlock the Future of Ocean Informatics & Predictive AI! 🌊🤖 Can we simulate and prevent ecological and maritime hazards before they happen? Watch how simulation-driven models are transforming Marine Spatial Planning. The #MSP toolkit ingests multi-source oceanographic datasets into AI-driven hydrodynamic models, simulating compound coastal flooding, oil spill drift trajectories, reef bleaching risks, and underwater acoustic soundscapes to enable proactive marine planning. Learn how to build these solutions firsthand with the @MRCPune through our 6-Month Advanced AI & Data Analytics Workshop! 🔹 Modes Available: Online | Offline | Hybrid 🔹 Focus: AI, Machine Learning, Geospatial Data Analytics & Predictive Marine Modeling 📌 How to Apply: Scan the QR code to apply, or click the link below. 👉 [pages.razorpay.com/pl_SSerxy…] Seats are limited—register today! #MaritimeResearchCenter #MRCPune #DataAnalytics #AIWorkshop #MarineSpatialPlanning #OceanInformatics #MachineLearning #PuneTech

DID YOU KNOW? 🛰️🌊 India’s rapid coastal aquaculture boom can now be mapped and monitored with high precision directly from orbit! To safeguard critical mangroves and coastal wetlands from unmanaged expansion, @MRCPune integrates Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with DeepLabv3 and Random Forest models across Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat. This framework tracks filled vs. unfilled pond lifecycles and spatiotemporal shifts, delivering science-backed data for sustainable marine spatial planning and coastal resilience under the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) framework. 💡 Research by: Susank Chigilipalli, Formar Research Intern, MRC Read the full research note to explore the methodology, key findings, and its relevance to sustainable coastal aquaculture planning. [t.ly/FuMle] (Note: Please log in with your credentials to access the full paper) #MaritimeResearchCenter #MRCPune #RemoteSensing #DeepLearning #EarthObservation #MarineSpatialPlanning #BlueEconomy #Sentinel2 #UDA

Reading Muddy Waters from Space: Harnessing Remote Sensing for Underwater Domain Awareness 🛰️🌊 Can space-based Earth observation solve critical challenges beneath the surface? In the latest UDA Digest, @MRCpune research intern Aryan Singh from @iitdelhi examines how satellite remote sensing tracks Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) to protect aquatic ecosystems and bolster the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) framework. Key takeaways from the study: 🔹 Beyond Surface Murkiness: Suspended sediments act as dynamic linkages connecting land-use shifts, monsoon runoff, and broader ecosystem health. 🔹Infrastructure & Habitat Risk: Elevated sediment loads reduce reservoir storage capacity via sedimentation while restricting sunlight vital for primary productivity. 🔹Sentinel-2 Precision: High-resolution multi-spectral satellite imagery replaces sparse, resource-heavy boat sampling with basin-wide, continuous monitoring. 🔹Ujjaini Reservoir Case Study: Sentinel-2 observations capture seasonal sediment transport—from dry pre-monsoon phases to post-monsoon surges—across Maharashtra's Bhima River basin. 🔹The UDA Lens: Monitoring sediment transport yields indispensable intelligence on underwater visibility, acoustic and light propagation, and pollutant pathways. At MRC Pune, we remain committed to empowering young researchers applying geospatial analytics and remote sensing to solve pressing water and maritime challenges. Congratulations to Aryan on this valuable contribution! 👉 Read the full article in UDA Digest:[t.ly/x9Yrp] #MaritimeResearchCenter #UDADigest #UDA #RemoteSensing #Sentinel2 #IITDelhi #GeospatialIntelligence #WaterManagement #EarthObservation #Hydrology

🌊 Can acoustic fingerprinting transform monitoring across India’s tropical waters? In our latest UDA Journal (Vol. 01, 2026), @MRCPune, Research Intern Pradnya Kumbhare (@iitdelhi) examines how ambient soundscapes can serve as actionable intelligence to address critical gaps in marine and freshwater monitoring: 🔹 Real-time sediment plume tracking in dynamic deltas like the Ganga–Brahmaputra to support navigation and dredging. 🔹 Passive coral reef vitality and biodiversity monitoring in Lakshadweep and the Andaman Islands. 🔹 Vessel acoustic profiling to detect unauthorized maritime activity and illegal trawling in sensitive zones. 🔹 AI-driven signal classification to overcome high ambient noise and seasonal monsoonal shifts. Developing indigenous acoustic frameworks is vital for advancing multi-domain Underwater Domain Awareness (#UDA), linking marine ecology with national maritime security. 🔗 Read the full paper: t.ly/1t5PE (Login required for full access) #MaritimeResearchCenter #MRCPune #BlueEconomy #IndoPacific #OceanScience

What if you could run the river before you manage it? 🌊 River basin management demands high-stakes decisions: reservoir releases, embankment reinforcement, and emergency planning. Traditional gauge data alone can’t predict basin-wide impacts. To bridge this critical gap, Maritime Research Center (@MRCPune), in collaboration with NirDhwani Technology (@nirdhwani), has developed the Flood Risk Management MSP Toolkit. Key Capabilities: 🔹⏱ Accurate warning windows & flood travel times 🔹🚪 Optimized reservoir release simulations 🔹🗺 High-resolution overland inundation mapping 🔹🌾 Agricultural standing water & drainage tracking 🔹🚜 Sediment dynamics from catchment to coast By connecting whole-basin river modeling to Marine Spatial Planning (#MSP), we enable authorities to rehearse scenarios and protect communities from source to sea. 🔗 Watch the full overview: youtu.be/ty2_mfANGXc?si=3bXz… #MaritimeResearchCenter #FloodRiskManagement #MarineSpatialPlanning #DisasterManagement #SourceToSea #ClimateResilience #Pune

#Quarter3 #MRCReflections Looking back at @MRCPune's Q3 2026 — a quarter shaped by global engagement, strategic collaboration, research, and capacity building. From the Indo-Pacific Minilateral Series, UDC BRICS Business Summit and Taiwan International Ocean Conference to the MRC–ICWA National Seminar and launch of the UDA Journal, Q3 strengthened dialogue and collaboration across the UDA ecosystem. 📩 Revisit the highlights in our Q3 Newsletter: [t.ly/yb-TI] #UDA #MaritimeSecurity #BlueEconomy #MaritimeResearch #MRC

Exciting news from IEEE SPICES 2026 in Kerala! Our research fellow, Ashwani Singh, from @IITKanpur, presented his peer-reviewed paper: “A Novel Multi-Parameter Composite Index for Fishing Zone Suitability Assessment: Integrating Biogeochemical and Thermal Habitat Dynamics in the Arabian Sea” While conventional advisories track only surface waters, our research dives deep into subsurface ocean dynamics: 🔹The upwelling paradox: On the Ratnagiri shelf, upwelling brings vital nutrients but also pulls oxygen-poor water into the 50 m layer, showing a sharp inverse correlation of r=-0.925. 🔹Habitat compression: Warm surface temperatures paired with low subsurface oxygen force fish into narrow layers, a critical stress factor invisible to surface-only satellites. 🔹Smarter ocean governance: Combining primary production, oxygen at depth, nitrate gradients, and temperature on an H3 grid creates real-time decision tools for sustainable fisheries and monitoring IUU fishing. This work showcases @MRCPune's. ongoing commitment to advancing depth-resolved underwater domain awareness for India's blue economy. Congratulations, Ashwani! #MaritimeResearchCenter #UDA #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #IEEESPICES2026 #MarineSpatialPlanning #ArabianSea #FisheriesScience #OceanData #BlueEconomy #SignalProcessing #IITKanpur #SustainableOceanGovernance

@MRCPune, is pleased to announce that our Founder and Director, Dr. (Cdr.) @Arnab_UDA, has contributed a chapter to the newly published book, Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the Indian Eastern Seaboard: Security, Strategy, and Development, published by Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group. The volume is edited by Prof. Adluri Subramanyam Raju, Head, South Asian Studies & Coordinator, Maritime Studies, @PondiUniVC and brings together key perspectives on the strategic, developmental, and geopolitical importance of the islands in the Indo-Pacific. 📖 Chapter contribution: “Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Maritime Domain Awareness Framework” by Dr. (Cdr.) Arnab Das The chapter outlines the critical need for a structured Underwater Domain Awareness (#UDA) and Maritime Domain Awareness (#MDA) framework to secure India’s maritime interests and support sustainable growth along the eastern seaboard. Congratulations to Prof. Adluri Subramanyam Raju and all the contributors on this milestone. #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #UDA #MaritimeDomainAwareness #MaritimeSecurity #AndamanAndNicobar #IndoPacific #MaritimeStrategy #IndianOcean #BlueEconomy #MRC

Home is where we seek safety. Yet for millions living along coastlines, rising storm surges and cyclones often turn this haven into the front line of disaster. On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 Oct), the global message is timely: “Resilience Starts at Home.” Disasters hit hardest at the local level, upending families, coastal livelihoods, and local economies. At the @MRCPune, our research reinforces three fundamental truths: • No family should choose between an affordable home and a safe one. • An early warning that fails to reach the last-mile household is a warning that fails. • Building hazard-resilient homes costs a fraction of rebuilding shattered lives. In line with the Sendai Framework, resilience is not just about clearing debris. It begins with the informed choices we make before the hazard strikes. A home should be a sanctuary, not the frontline of disaster. #IDDRR #ResilienceStartsAtHome #DisasterRiskReduction #MRCPune #CoastalResilience #UnitedNations

Why does the ocean need #AI? 🌊 The ocean generates vast and complex datasets through acoustic sensors, satellites, autonomous underwater vehicles, and remote sensing platforms. #AI and Machine Learning (#ML) can help interpret this information, identify patterns, anticipate environmental risks, and support better maritime decision-making. From understanding marine ecosystems and assessing environmental risks to supporting maritime planning and security, AI is becoming increasingly important for Underwater Domain Awareness (#UDA). @MRCPune invites applications for its 6-Month Advanced Training Programme on AI & Data Analytics for UDA. Learning Modes: Online | Offline | Hybrid 🗓 Admissions are reviewed on a rolling basis (limited seats). 🔗 Register today : [t.ly/uJ_v3] 👉To learn more visit : [t.ly/r4xDF] #MaritimeResearchCentre #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #MarineSpatialPlanning #OceanConservation #BlueEconomy #ClimateAction #NirDhwaniTech #Pune #ArtificialIntelligence #DataAnalytics #MarineTech #BlueEconomy #MachineLearning #Pune #OceanTech #MaritimeResearch #AI #PuneStudents #EngineeringCareers #DeepTech #UnderwaterAI #MachineLearning #OceanData #UDA

India’s coral cover in Lakshadweep has halved over the last 24 years, with marine heatwaves returning faster than reefs can naturally recover. In the latest feature of #UDADigest, our Research Intern Ashish Kumar Jha from @IITKanpur highlights how the @MRCPune is turning reactive monitoring into proactive foresight. By combining ocean temperature, cloud cover, and currents, our model projects bleaching risks out to 2075. This data feeds directly into our Marine Spatial Planning Toolkit, bridging #UDA with maritime security, coastal protection, and the Blue Economy. Explore the full analysis: [digest.udafoundation.in/arti…] Important Note: Please log in with your credentials to access the full paper. #MaritimeResearchCentre #UDADigest #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #MarineSpatialPlanning #CoralReefs #OceanConservation #BlueEconomy #ClimateAction #IITKanpur #NirDhwaniTech #Pune #CoralBleaching

Indo-Pacific waters face severe hydrological pressures, with 15–20B tonnes of sediment shifting annually and Indian reservoirs losing 1.5% capacity each year. Our latest UDA Journal paper by Romit Kaware, MRC Research Fellow from @iitdelhi & Dr. (Cdr.) @Arnab_UDA, Founder & Director, MRC outlines how the UDA Framework developed at @MRCPune tackles sediment management in tropical waters via hydroacoustic monitoring, digital data integration, and circular reuse. 📖 Read the latest research in the UDA Journal here— [t.ly/yagrM] Important Note: Please log in with your credentials to access the full paper. #MaritimeResearchCenter #MRCPune #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #IndoPacific #SedimentManagement #MarineSpatialPlanning #BlueEconomy #AcousticMonitoring #IITDelhi #MaritimeInfrastructure

"UDA needs its own channel now. By the time we sort out surface awareness, the ground beneath us will have shifted." 🌊 At the recent 2-day regional experts' workshop on Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness by @CSDR_India (CSDR) Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness in partnership with @NIAS_India (NIAS) and the @AsiaPacificFdn—MRC Founder & Director @Arnab_UDA shared key insights during Session 5: 🎙️ “Evolution and the Status of Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) in the New Global Order” Conventional MDA—shaped largely by surface surveillance—must transition toward an integrated underwater governance framework: Key insights from MRC’s address: 🔹 Tropical Waters Demand Tropical Solutions: Standardized acoustic models and URN limits built for temperate Western waters cannot simply be transplanted into tropical Indo-Pacific seas. Localized acoustic modeling and regional regulations are essential. 🔹 From Military Security to the Greater Public Good: In a multipolar world, UDA must serve SIDS, marine ecology, biofouling mitigation, disaster resilience, and seabed cable security alongside defense. 🔹 Solutions Over Products: Hardware ("To See") is incomplete without ambient noise analytics ("To Understand") and real-time decision support systems ("To Share"). 🔹 Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Science: Bridging AI analytics with coastal wisdom via M&S-based Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) toolkits. Our gratitude to @HappymonJacob, the CSDR & NIAS leadership, and all distinguished delegates for fostering this vital dialogue. Onward to Manila! 🌏 #MaritimeDomainAwareness #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #UDA #IndoPacific #MaritimeSecurity #BlueEconomy #Acoustics #MarineSpatialPlanning #GlobalSouth #CSDR #NIAS #MRCPune @HappymonJacob, @jenkhong, @DongkeunLee31, @aditi_malhotra_, @ApilaMongzar, @NTU_TW, @nirdhwani

We were delighted to welcome Prof. Rajendra Bahl, Professor of Underwater systems at @iitdelhi to the @MRCPune, on September 28, 2026. During his visit, Prof. Bahl engaged with the MRC team and took the time to understand our ongoing work under the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework. He shared valuable perspectives from his extensive experience in underwater signal processing, naval sonar, and related research, while encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and technology-driven approaches. Prof. Bahl also interacted with Dr (Cdr) @Arnab_UDA, Founder and Director, MRC, and met with Vice Adm DSP Varma (Retd), creating an opportunity for further exchange of ideas on underwater acoustics, research, technology development, and potential areas of collaboration. We sincerely thank Prof. Bahl for visiting our center and sharing his valuable insights and experience with our team. #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #UDA #UnderwaterAcoustics #MaritimeResearch #MaritimeTechnology #ResearchCollaboration #MRC