Secretary, Department of Fisheries visits ICAR-CMFRI

Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, I.A.S., Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India and Dr. Jujjavarapu Balaji, I.A.S., Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying visited the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, Kerala today.

During the visit, the dignitaries interacted with the Scientists of ICAR-CMFRI, Headquarters in Kochi and the Institute’s various Regional Research Stations across the country.

Shri Swain outlined the Central Government’s efforts to look forward for developing a sustainable economy through highly prospective seaweed cultivation. At a time when climate change is increasingly posing a major threat to human life across the globe, cultivating seaweed, which is one of the natural methods to mitigate the global crisis, would help boost the economy and reduce the impact of climate crisis as well, he said.

The Secretary urged for setting-up the Seaweeds’ Seed Bank to popularise the practice among the coastal regions. He accentuated that the scientists should come-up with the ways for capacity development to enhance seaweed cultivation on a large scale. Underlining the country’s ambitious plan in the Marine Fisheries Sector, he outlined the country’s aim of doubling the seafood export in the next five years.

Shri Swain also emphasized on strengthening the Sea Ranching initiatives, a practice of stocking seeds into the sea of Green Tiger Shrimps by extending it into more areas as the practice by ICAR-CMFRI proving a huge success in the Palk Bay for the past few years for maintaining a sustainable stock of the species and their conservation.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI apprised the dignitaries about the various research activities being pursued and achievements of the Institute.

(Source: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, Kerala)