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HomePosts Tagged "aquaculture" (Page 2)
Acquaculture, India

To focus on gender issues in aquaculture and fisheries sector pertaining to rights of equality of women

The 8th Global Conference on ‘Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries (GAF8)’, jointly organised by ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi; Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society and the Society of Fisheries Technologists (India) (SOFTI) was officially inaugurated by the Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan.

In his inaugural address, he emphasised that the GAF8 will be discussing the intertwined gender issues in aquaculture and fisheries sector pertaining to the rights of equality of the unsung majority of women as compared to their male counterparts. Lamenting on the poor socio-economic status of the fisher women with respect to gender inequality and inequity, he said that in spite of the large-scale contributions of women in the several areas in the fishing industry, their services for the sectoral development have not been duly acknowledged. So, he urged the delegates to find out potential solutions to resolve these issues through fruitful deliberations on this global platform.  

The conference which is being held at Kochi, is the eighth in the global series, themed on ‘Shaping the Future: Gender Justice for Sustainable Aquaculture & Fisheries’ through various sub-themes pertaining to gender issues and related policies in the fisheries sector. The conference aims to bring forward gender issues in the aquaculture and fisheries sector on a common global platform for gaining new insights and establishing networks of stakeholders associated with fisheries and discuss potential solutions through the gendered lens.

The conference has brought together over 300 scientists, academicians, gender experts, policymakers and students from India and abroad. Delegates from 20 countries will present papers in GAF8. Besides six focal themes, there are 10 Special Sessions have been arranged by international and national organisations, including the FAO, Pacific Community, BOBP, ICSF etc. In addition, two special events are being hosted along with GAF8. 

To focus on gender issues in aquaculture

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Animal Health, Company News, India, Live Stock

Bangalore-based String Bio, an innovator that is redefining sustainable manufacturing, announced today that its animal nutrition product – PRO-DG® has been successfully tested and validated in Salmon feed by BioMar, a global leader in sustainable aquaculture feeds. BioMar paid particular attention to the evaluation of this new unicellular protein, which they have been working on for some time together with String Bio, with the intention of biologically evaluating the product, calculating its value in diets, and trying to help the process of commercial acceleration of this interesting new raw material.

String is one of the world leaders in gas fermentation, scaling up economical and modular fermenters that enable the production of high-quality ingredients from greenhouse gases. PRO-DG® is an alternative protein ingredient with optimal nutritional factors, manufactured by the platform. It provides traceability, significantly optimizes the use of land and water, and provides sustainability to the feed value chain. Key performance and physiological parameters from the trials validated the use of PRO-DG as a feed ingredient in Salmon diets. In previous trials with renowned institutes, PRO-DG has been found to increase feed conversion and growth rates in shrimp, poultry and other species as well.

With the global population set to increase to almost 10 billion people by 2050 and the growing demand for fish as an ideal protein source, the market is facing a potential ‘protein challenge’. According to the report The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020, the total aquaculture production is expected to expand from 26 million tonne in 2018 to 109 million tonne in 2030. Sustainable and traceable fish feeds are thus needed to meet the growing demand while ensuring protection of marine ecosystems and ocean resources. The introduction and large-scale adoption of alternative protein ingredients, like PRO-DG, in aquaculture feed can be central to strengthening global food security and lessening pressure on wild fish stocks and the ocean ecosystem.

Commenting on the successful trial, Dr Ezhil Subbian, Co-Founder & CEO, String Bio said “String has been validating the use of PRO-DG across various species in different geographies and varying farm management practices. It’s a great milestone to have the validation studies done by Biomar, an industry leader in the Aqua nutrition sector. We look forward to taking the work ahead with them to drive commercial adoption of novel ingredients in Aquaculture.”

“At BioMar we are constantly seeking innovative raw materials that are aligned with our strategic ambitions to help develop circular & restorative ingredients. The preliminary results of the validation highlight the biological potential of PRO-DG® as a protein alternative within our current basket of raw materials to reduce carbon emissions”, said Fernando Norambuena, Global Category Manager – Novel Raw Materials, BioMar.

Bangalore-based String Bio, an innovator that is

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India

The Governing Body meeting is held once in a year, NFDB has organized 8Nos of Governing Body meetings under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Minister. PRupala releases book on “Super Success Stories from Indian Fisheries” during the meeting. 

source: public domain (https://pib.gov.in/)

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) conducted its 9th Governing Body meeting at Lecture Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi.Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying chaired the Governing Body meeting. Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Vice Chairman of the governing body and Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, special invitee and other officials of the governing body, Member (Agriculture), Niti Ayog participated in the meeting. Minister from States who participated physically in the meeting were from Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Mizoram, Tripura & Sikkim. It was virtually attended by Ministers from States of Haryana and Puducherry. Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India , Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member (Agriculture), NITI Aayog, and Secretaries of other Departments and 14 nominated Non-official governing body members from different states were also present in the meeting.

Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan stated that there is immense potential for shrimp farming in the States of Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Punjab. He added that aquaculture is developed in these states, they can compete with Andhra Pradesh in shrimp production. He said that extension services should be provided to farmers of these states. He added that Animal Welfare board facility can be utilized for establishment of training center. He further said that NFDB in collaboration with ICAR should make a plan for development of shrimp farming in the region.

Parshottam Rupala released a book on “Super Success Stories from Indian Fisheries” published by NFDB commemorating 75th Independence Day- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations an outreach activity with a focus to disseminate the technologies, innovative ideas practiced by the small-scale farming sector and to expand the promotion of initiatives to larger population, successful fisheries and aquaculture practices across the country.

Dr Ramesh Chand, Member (Agriculture), NITI Aayog stated that fisheries sector is showing a record regular growth of around 8% during the past decade. He stated that Board should show the output and outcomes as per the objectives set to the Board. He stated that Andhra Pradesh is contributing about 52% of the inland fish production. He said that One District one Product has to be promoted and frontline technologies have to be applied in fisheries sector.

NFDB is headed by the Chief Executive. The Board is constituted with two levels of Committees, the Governing Body & Executive Committee for having a guidance on the administrative matters, activities of Board and any new amendments/rules that shall occur in the Board.

The Governing Body meeting is held once

Acquaculture

The global partnership will jointly develop and market insect meal to help aqua feed customers raise more sustainable seafood with less environmental impact

Cargill and Innovafeed are committed to actions that identify and grow planet-friendly ingredients, find new ways to reuse by-products and develop fish nutrition that promotes and enhances the health of farmed fish.

The agreement combines Innovafeed’s expertise in formulating precision insect ingredients and Cargill’s global animal nutrition capabilities to scale up the use of insect ingredients in multiple types of animal feed. Under this new contract, Cargill will benefit from high-performance and sustainable ingredients for salmonids. Insect-based feed has become a competitive alternative to other sources of protein at all levels, including nutrition, production, and sustainability.

Together, Cargill and Innovafeed maximise the use of resources to create a high-quality feed with much less waste.

“A contract of this size and scope for insect ingredients in aquafeed is a first in our industry and marks a major milestone in favour of more sustainable and efficient animal feed, thanks to novel ingredients and insects more specifically,” said Clément Ray, Innovafeed’s co-founder and CEO.

Innovafeed is transforming the feed industry and broadening the basket of performant and sustainable ingredients available to the aquafeed formulators. Insect-based feed has become a competitive alternative to other sources of protein at all levels, including nutrition, production, and sustainability.

The global partnership will jointly develop and

Acquaculture, Agri Genomics, AgroPolicy

A nano aquarium was also unveiled at the VGP Marine Kingdom

Anitha R Radhakrishnan, Minister for Fisheries & Animal Husbandry, Government of Tamil Nadu has launched the hatchery bred marine ornamental shrimps and nano aquarium at VGP Marine Kingdom, Chennai. The initiative has been introduced by the ICAR-National Bureau of Fisheries Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and VGP Marine Kingdom, Chennai.

Radhakrishnan underlined the initiatives of the fisheries department for the betterment of the fishers of the state for improving their livelihood options. The minister appreciated the ICAR-NBFGR and VGP Marine Kingdom’s efforts on the new concept of Marine Nano Aquaria with the captive-raised shrimps.

Dr KK Lal, Director, ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow outlined the bureau’s initiatives, the concept of community-based ornamental aquaculture and the need for collaborative involvement with the market leaders like the VGP Marine Kingdom.

VGP Ravidas, Managing Director, VGP Group stated about the VGP Marine Kingdom and the pioneering efforts in establishing the first oceanarium in the country at Chennai.

A nano aquarium was also unveiled at

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

The main objective of the MoU signed with the university is to evaluate the nano-sensors for sustainable intensification of the different aquaculture systems

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai signed the two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Hindustan University of Technology and Science, Chennai and AA Biotech, Chennai for collaborative research.

Dr KP Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai emphasised the significance of the collaborative research and validation of the technology between a research institution, academic university and aquaculture entrepreneur that would facilitate knowledge sharing, technology validation and popularisation of the broad spectrum of the techniques available in the institute.

Dr K Nandakumar, Director of Research (who signed the MoU) on the behalf of Hindustan University, Chennai stated that through the partnership, the specialized capacities of both the Institutions would aid in the application of the nano-Sensors for sustainable intensification of the different aquaculture systems.

Udaya Ram Jothy, CEO, AA Biotech said that the water testing protocol would address the farm level issues like a human error in testing water quality parameters, rapid detection, geo-location and option for rectifying errors in tests with a reasonable cost.

The main objective of the MoU signed with the university is to evaluate the nano-sensors for sustainable intensification of the different aquaculture systems like RAS and Biofloc-based systems and synthesis of the nanoparticles for the targeted therapy and protein/peptide characterisation. The MoU with the AA Biotechis aimed at the calibration and validation of the water quality testing protocol in aquaculture.

The main objective of the MoU signed

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Live Stock

Discussions were held on Neoteric Techniques and Technologies in Fisheries and Aquaculture

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India recently organised a webinar on ‘Neoteric Techniques and Technologies in Fisheries and Aquaculture’. The event was presided over by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GOI) and well-attended by more than 350 participants including fishers, farmers, entrepreneurs, officials of Department of Fisheries, GoI and fisheries officials of different States/UTs, faculties from state agriculture, veterinary and fisheries universities, scientists, hatchery owners, students and stakeholders from aquaculture industry across the country.

In his inaugural address, Union Secretary Fisheries, Shri Swain highlighted the growth and development of fisheries sector over the recent years and added that there is ample scope and need of expansion and diversification of Indian fisheries and aquaculture with the help of advanced technologies. He further requested the scientists and entrepreneurs to motivate farmers and develop innovative ways for increasing profits, decreasing input cost, species diversification and increasing the production and productivity of fish species and commercialize these techniques. 

Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), in his opening remarks, briefly highlighted that GOI is promoting scientific methods, innovations and infusion of modern technologies by providing financial assistance under various schemes which can benefit fishers and farmers of the country using latest techniques and the need of research and development in focus areas.

The webinar began with the welcome address by Sanjay Pandey, Assistant Commissioner, DoF along with introduction of the theme of the Webinar and the distinguished panelists, Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries) along with Dr AP Sharma, Former Director, ICAR-CIFRI and Dr L Narasimha Murthy, Senior Executive Director, NFDB and other participants. 

During the technical session, Dr AP Sharma, Former Director- ICAR CIFRI made a comprehensive presentation on ‘Technological trends in fisheries and aquaculture’ focusing on the reproductive innovations, productivity trends, molecular technologies, along with commercially viable trends like RAS, biofloc technology, coldwater fisheries, ornamental fisheries, multi trophic aquaculture, aquatic health management, genetics and biotechnology along with future technologies highlighted the importance of investing in good quality fish feed for ensuring high quality fish is produced and reared. 

Dr L Narasimha Murthy, Senior Executive Director, NFDB gave an insightful presentation on ‘Training & Capacity building on new technologies in fisheries and aquaculture’ and highlighted the significance of skill & capacity building of fishers/fish farmers for building a pool of skilled workforce in the Aquaculture activities. 

After the presentation, a session sharing the success stories was also held and stories highlighting the success aquaculture ventures were presented by the Department of Fisheries, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh which served as motivation of the participants. This was followed by an open discussion forum with the participants, led by Sagar Mehra with Dr AP Sharma and Dr L Narasimha Murthy, focusing on real-time successful techniques being invented and practiced by fish farmers accross the country. The forum also provided an opportunity to the participants to ask relevant questions and queries about benefits under various schemes run by the GoI. 

The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr SK Dwivedi, Assistant Commissioner, DoF.

Discussions were held on Neoteric Techniques and

Acquaculture, Agrotech, R&D

The peptide-based diagnostic tool has been developed by scientists of Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Scientists have developed a handy diagnostic tool that detects an aquaculture pathogen known as the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). The peptide-based diagnostic tool by scientists of Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been granted a patent on March 31, 2022, as an alternative biorecognition element.

Infection caused by the WSSV to the shrimp Penaeus vannamei results in a huge loss of crop. This high-value super-food is susceptible to a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens and the probability of occurrence of infections is rather high. Improved nutrition, probiotics, disease resistance, quality control of water, seed and feed, immuno-stimulants and affordable vaccines play an important role in enhancing the production. Technologies for early and rapid detection of pathogens on the field will help fish and shell-fish farming which provides significant export revenue to the country which is a leading supplier of shrimp to the US. 

Dr Prabir Kulabhusan, Dr Jyutika Rajwade and Dr Kishore Paknikar developed a lateral flow assay using gold nanoparticles for easy visualisation of the results. Instead of using poly-/mono-clonal antibodies in assay development, the ARI scientists selected twelve amino acid-containing peptides from a phage display library by biopanning. This was a time- and cost-saving approach, eliminating the need for immunization of laboratory animals to obtain the antisera. With the use of peptides, cold-chain requirements for storage are reduced and the assay becomes production-friendly. 

The inventors have published this research in Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology and the Journal of Molecular Modelling. ARI PhD student Snehal Jamalpure-Lakka presented this idea at the National Bio-Entrepreneurship Conclave (NBEC)-2021 and was awarded. 

The peptide-based diagnostic tool has been developed

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy

Discussions were held on all relevant issues in detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats

The fifth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on fisheries was recently held through virtual mode.

The Indian delegation was led by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The other members of the Indian delegation included senior representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of Puducherry, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by RMI Rathnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Government of Sri Lanka. The other members of the Sri Lankan delegation comprised of senior officials from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Navy, Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Police, Department of the Attorney General and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency.

The Joint Working Group discussed all relevant issues in detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats which have been on the agenda of bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka for many years.

Jatindra Nath Swain observed that the Indian side is always committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan side towards the resolution of issues related to fishermen and their livelihoods in a humanitarian manner. He also took up the issue of the early release of Indian fishermen and boats currently in Sri Lankan custody. The Indian side expressed its readiness to work together with Sri Lanka for joint research to enhance the productivity of the Palk Bay fisheries.

Both sides also discussed cooperation between Navy & Coast Guard of both countries in patrolling, an existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters including cooperation in tracking poaching, prevention of environmental damage due to bottom trawling, addressing grievances of fishermen on either side, besides issues relating to investigation on recent deaths of fishermen and status of apprehended fishermen and fishing boats.

The Indian side highlighted the initiatives taken by the Central and State Governments to diversify livelihood options and reduce fishing pressure in Palk Bay. It also informed that infrastructure has been created to facilitate deep-sea fishing and promotion of alternative livelihood through seaweed cultivation, mariculture and several aquaculture activities.

The Sri Lankan side proposed a faster transition to sustainable fishing in the Palk Bay fisheries and also suggested that India can help them develop the aquaculture sector and the associated infrastructure in Northern Sri Lanka.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with commitment towards continued cooperation and dialogue to solve the fishermen related issues and to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group as per schedule.

Discussions were held on all relevant issues

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Animal Health

According to the experts, intensification and diversification has added to the risk factors of the spread of new and emerging aquatic diseases in aquaculture

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India organised a webinar on National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases: A Step towards Establishing Disease Governance System in India. The event was attended by more than 150 participants including officials of the Department of Fisheries, ICAR institutes, GoI and fisheries officials of different States/UTs, faculties from state agriculture, veterinary and fisheries universities, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, hatchery owners, students and stakeholders from aquaculture industry across the country.

The welcome address was given by IA Siddiqui, Fisheries Development Commissioner, DoF along with the introduction of the theme of the webinar and the distinguished panellists Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries); Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi; Dr Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor (Research and Patents), Nitte University, Mangaluru; Dr AG Ponniah, Former Emeritus Scientist and Former Discipline Leader, WorldFish Centre, Malaysia, Dr KK Lal, Director, ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow; Dr Neeraj Sood, Principal Scientist ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow; V Balasubramaniam, General Secretary, Prawn Farmers’ Federation of India, Bengaluru and other participants.

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), in his opening remarks mentioned that aquaculture production through intensification and diversification has added to the risk factors of spread of new and emerging aquatic diseases in aquaculture.

During the technical session, Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi, set the context for the webinar and stated that India is a vast country with state divergent levels of capabilities and fisheries priorities hence surveillance programme for monitoring and controlling spread of diseases of national and international concern has become a primary requirement for effective health management and ultimately for sustainable aquaculture.

Dr Jena further stated that the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) of India has made its own example in establishing a coordinated surveillance programme for aquaculture.

Dr Neeraj Sood, Principal Scientist ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow delivered a detailed presentation on NSPAAD along with the status of the project in the country and the future aims of the project.

Dr Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor, Nitte University, Mangaluru focussed on strategising aquatic animal health management based on disease surveillance through a knowledge filled session. Dr AG Ponniah, Former Emeritus Scientist and Former Discipline Leader, World Fish Centre, Malaysia delivered an informative session on emergency response in case of detection of exotic aquatic diseases and V Balasubramaniam, General Secretary, Prawn Farmers’ Federation of India briefed about the industrial approach and the need of fisheries and aquaculture sector for disease surveillance in shrimp aquaculture.

The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr SK Dwivedi, Assistant Commissioner, DoF.

According to the experts, intensification and diversification

Interaction, Supply Chain

The main objective of the MoU is to develop a start-up programme on Mud Crab Seed Production

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aqgromalin Farmtech Service Private Limited, a Farm Diversification Corporate Business Enterprise in Chennai on February 7, 2022.  

Dr K P Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai and Prasanna Manoharan, CEO, Aqgromalin signed the MoU on behalf of their organisations.

Dr Jithendran regarded the Mud Crab Farming as an economically viable production system and a potential species for the diversification. He said that as the stock-able size crab seed production is the critical gap, therefore, there is an urgent need for the transfer of the Mud Crab Nursery Seed Production Technology to the farmers.

The main objective of the MoU is to develop a start-up programme on Mud Crab Seed Production and scaling-up of the Mud Crab Farming with a supply chain.

The main objective of the MoU is

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy

Dr Ayyappan is credited with bringing Indian fisheries to a level of excellence in basic science and fish commercialisation

Dr Subbanna Ayappan, Former Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), has been conferred with the Padma Shri for his unparallel contribution towards aquaculture. Dr Ayyappan is credited with bringing Indian fisheries to a level of excellence in basic science and fish commercialisation, unmatched anywhere in the world.

Dr Ayyappan completed B.F.Sc. (1975) and M.F.Sc. (1977) and obtained Ph.D. degree from Bangalore University in 1988. His specific areas of research are Fisheries, Freshwater Aquaculture and Aquatic Microbiology. He joined the Agricultural Research Service of ICAR in 1978.

He served as the Deputy Director General (Fisheries), Director, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, (Deemed University) Mumbai,
Director, Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar and Scientist, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, in the ICAR system and has made significant research contributions to the National Agricultural Research System. He is the Founder Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board. Dr Ayyappan has over 200 publications in reputed journals/proceedings and books. He also has two patents and one design in his name.

Dr Ayyappan is credited with bringing Indian