SHMRC

Sacred Heart Marine Research Centre
Beach Road, Tuticorin, South India 628001
Geographic location of Tuticorin
The Sacred Heart Marine Research Center (SHMRC) is situated in the southeastern tip of India in the city of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu province. The Center was recognized in 1991 by Madurai Kamaraj University as a research center leading to a Ph.D. degree. SHMRC is an independent, nonprofit organization. The Centre is staffed with biologists at the PhD and MSc level undertaking various researches.

The Center is also well known for its groundbreaking research in identifying non-toxic, natural compounds that may prevent the attachment of fouling organisms, such as barnacles and mussels. The long term aim is to be able to replace the toxic compounds used by industry that pollutes the oceanic environment and replace with more eco-friendly alternatives.

SHMRC’s research operation is directed by Sister Dr. Avelin Mary, a Roman Catholic nun belonging to the Congregation of Mother of Sorrows, Servants of Mary.

The primary objectives of SHMRC are as follows:

• Identification of natural products. Identification of natural products from the sea for pharmaceuticals and industrial applications. For more information, please click HERE.

• Marine conservation. The South Indian coast, particularly in the area of Palk Bay and the Mannar Barrier reef systems, is rich in biodiversity. There is an urgent need to understand, catalog and protect the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.

• Livelihood development for fisherfolks. SHMRC is now developing programs to address the poverty of the coastal fishing communities of India. The Coastal Fisherfolks Entrepreneurship (CFE) Program is being designed that will bring together new technologies in sea farming that will be customized to fit the village scale to enable fishing communities to benefit from their traditional livelihood. The CFE combines the concept of a business incubator and technology transfer programs to build capacity and capability in a sustainable manner while promoting the environmental awareness in the fishing communities. Read More…

• Public health. Insect borne diseases, such as malaria and leishmaniasis, are still endemic in India. SHMRC is collaborating with other organizations to develop novel, nontoxic compounds that will prevent the transmission of these diseases. The more recent viral epidemic in India and other tropical countries called chikungunya that is transmitted by mosquito bites underlies the need to find effective means in prevention and control.

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Geographic location of Tuticorin