Delegation from Michigan State University, USA visits ICAR-CMFRI

As part of a student exposure-cum-training programme jointly organised by the University and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi and the Michigan State University in the United States, a delegation of students and faculty from the MSU’s James Madison College visited the ICAR-CMFRI and Kerala during the period of 11-26 July 2023. The team was impressed with a diverse range of entrepreneurial ventures in the fisheries sector spearheaded by various women groups in villages.

Led by Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs Professor Linda Racioppi and Prof. Sejuti Dasgupta, 10 students pursuing Comparative Culture and Politics interacted with ICAR-CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan and Heads of various Divisions to learn about the research activities of the Institute. They were introduced to the research and fisheries extension activities of ICAR-CMFRI. The team also explored various aspects of fisheries, including marine capture fisheries, cage fish farming, Chinese fishing nets and fish markets, and collected insights on livelihoods in the sector. This was the third such programme hosted by the ICAR-CMFRI on the basis of an MoU between the two institutes.

The visit was aimed at understanding the socio-economic aspects of Kerala’s fisheries sector with the objective of facilitating collaborative educational and research activities between the MSU and the ICAR-CMFRI. The team had an enriching experience during their stay which included field visits, interactive meetings and lectures and interactions with key stakeholders such as fishermen, members of various societies in the sector and officials from governing agencies. Dr Shyam Salim, Principal Scientist of ICAR-CMFRI coordinated the programme.
(Source: ICAR-CMFRI)