Training program on Microbiological Examination of Seafood

A week long ICAR sponsored training program on “Microbiological Examination of Seafood” was inaugurated on 1st August, 2017 by the Chief Guest Prof A. Ramachandran, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi. The objective of the training programme is to enhance the technical competencies of participants on modern techniques of isolation and detection of pathogenic bacteria in seafood to meet the challenges of maintaining microbiological quality and seafood safety.

Prof. A. Ramachandran, in his inaugural address, briefed about the source of seafood contamination and its impact on human life. Expressing concern over the alarming aquatic environment, he said that there is need to screen the pathogenic bacteria in seafood that causes microbial contamination and also emphasized on hygienic maintenance during handling and processing of fishes. Appreciating the microbiological work done by ICAR-CIFT, he suggested for making research collaborations with KUFOS to face the challenges ahead.

Dr. Ravishankar C.N., Director CIFT in his presidential remarks stressed on the role of microbes in harvest and post-harvest sectors in fisheries and described the contributions made by CIFT for the betterment of seafood industry and the fishermen community. He lauded the effort of MFB Division for taking forward the technological developments in microbiology to the field especially by the technical staff for whom this program is exclusively designed for.

About 25 technical officers from different parts of the country representing universities and leading research institutes of ICAR participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi)