The Indian government has taken a significant step in marine conservation by designating the 'Bhavasagara' Referral Centre, located under the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), as the National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna. This designation, conferred under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002, establishes the Centre as a critical facility for the preservation, study, and documentation of deep-sea species. Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, emphasized that this move strengthens India's blue economy and marine biodiversity framework by centralizing deep-sea specimens and their genetic data. The deep sea, which constitutes 90-95% of Earth's habitable space, plays a crucial role in regulating climate and supporting marine life. However, it faces threats from activities like deep-sea mining and overfishing. The repository will also serve as a custodian for newly discovered species and will help foster expertise in deep-sea taxonomy. Additionally, India's commitment to marine conservation is further reinforced by its signing of the High Seas Treaty, which aims to promote sustainable use of ocean resources and protect marine biodiversity.