Indian Marine Ingredients Association -- the organization which has been working for the ‘One India-One Fisheries Improvement Project’-- has conducted a one-day workshop-cum-stakeholders meet to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
The event was organized with the academic support of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies in which stakeholder communities from Kerala and Karnataka attended.
T.Pradeepkumar, Vice Chancellor, KUFOS emphasized the need of sustainability for the long term existence of the fisheries sector encompassing a large number of stakeholder communities.
Mohamed Dawood Sait, president, IMIA highlighted the academic programmes conducted towards encouraging responsible fishing practices and accessing the premium markets that demand traceable sourcing to get the better price for the fish meal. This will, in turn, benefit millions of Indian fishermen who are highly underprivileged, he said.
Participants from the Fisheries departments of Kerala and Karnataka, FSI, CIFT, KUFOS, ADAK and different fishermen organisations attended.
Management plant
Duncan Leadbitter, a fisheries consultant from Australia, presented a fisheries management plan for getting the appropriate certification by global organizations. Such a certification will be supportive to the fishermen for getting fair price for their products. The industry will also be benefitted to expand overseas markets and fetching more returns.
Sreenath KR, Director General of Fisheries Survey of India spoke on the need of implementing fishermen friendly programmes for improving their awareness on stock conservation and legal framework towards achieving sustainability.
Ignatious Mandro, Managing Director of Agency for Development of Aquaculture Kerala stressed the importance of utilizing deep water resources to sustain the fish meal industry which is inevitable for the growth of aquaculture in the country.
Babin Bopanna, Joint Director, Department of Fisheries Karnataka emphasized incorporating the AI technology to enhance the traceability and catch data.