20^th April 2017, Lucknow

Shri Ashutosh Tandon, Minister of Technology and Medical Education, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated a two-day International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health and Epidemiology for Sustainable Asian Aquaculture here today. The symposium is organized by Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation Society, Lucknow, India in collaboration with ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow and National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal.

Shri Tandon briefed about 'Namami Gange’, the flagship programmes of Government of India to tackle pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of main National River Ganga.  He also mentioned about the commitment of the Government of Uttar Pradesh to reduce water/river pollution in the state and expressed hope that by preventing water pollution, the fishers/farmers would be benefited. He also visited the Gang Aquarium in the premises of ICAR-NBFGR and appreciated that it is open for public and school children.

In his presidential address, Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) stressed on the challenges faced by the aquaculture industry in the Asian region particularly due to huge losses by disease outbreaks. He briefed about ongoing national surveillance programme on Aquatic Animal Diseases, selective breeding programmes for increasing disease resistance in fishes and some of new initiatives regarding Antimicrobial resistance programme. With the presence of aquatic animal health expertise in the country and supported by the international collaboration, he was confident in meeting the challenge due to aquatic animal diseases

Prof. Kenton Lloyd Morgan, Emeritus Professor, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom as the guest of Honour highlighted the important role of epidemiology in the sustainability of the aquaculture and encouraged the young researchers to have passion for epidemiology and take it as part for their career development.

Dr.Kuldeep K Lal, Convener of the Symposium and Director, ICAR-NBFGR briefedabout the active role of ICAR-NBFGR in training the farmers on fish culture, conservation, Health Management.

Over 200 distinguished Aquatic Animal Health Scientists, technocrats, policy makers, students and entrepreneurs from all over the country and overseas participated in this symposium.

(Source: ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow)