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HomePosts Tagged "ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology)"
Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Animal Health, India, Live Stock, R&D

Lead, a toxic and persistent pollutant, poses a grave threat to marine ecosystems and human health.

ICAR-CIFT has made a significant breakthrough in developing environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic lead-based sinkers used in fishing nets. Initial experiments using materials such as stainless steel have shown promising results, paving the way for a sustainable solution to replace lead in fishing operations.

Lead, a toxic and persistent pollutant, poses a grave threat to marine ecosystems and human health. Its continued use in fishing sinkers has led to mounting concerns globally, with some countries already banning lead-based sinkers and baits to mitigate environmental risks. Recognising this issue, CIFT has submitted its findings and recommendations to the Ministry of Fisheries, seeking approval to implement these alternatives on a national scale.

“This initiative aligns India’s fishing practices with global environmental standards while safeguarding the country’s seafood export market,” stated Dr M P Remesan, Head of the Fishing Technology Division at ICAR- CIFT.

Fishing nets such as purse seines often require over 1,000 kilograms of lead, while trawls use up to 70 kilograms. Fishermen report that prolonged use of these sinkers results in significant wear and tear within 6 months. This contamination can potentially affect marine life.

Fishermen’s organisations have voiced their concerns, and have petitioned Union Fisheries Minister George Kurian, urging the government to prioritize the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives and provide support for transitioning away from lead-based systems.

CIFT’s innovative approach to developing sustainable fishing technologies marks a crucial step in protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring the long-term viability of India’s fishing industry. By embracing these advancements, India can secure a healthier future for its fisheries and meet international environmental standards.

Lead, a toxic and persistent pollutant, poses

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, R&D

This recognition marks a significant milestone in advancing food authentication research and quality assurance in India, particularly in the fisheries sector.

The ICAR-CIFT has been declared a Centre of Excellence in Food Authenticity during a national workshop on “Food Authenticity and Traceability using Omics Techniques,” organized at the institute under the ICAR-NASF Foodomics Project in collaboration with Waters India Pvt. Ltd. This recognition marks a significant milestone in advancing food authentication research and quality assurance in India, particularly in the fisheries sector.

The MoU on the Centre of Excellence in Food Authenticity was exchanged by Dr. George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, and T. Anil Kumar, President of Waters India Pvt. Ltd., signifying a collaborative effort to advance food authentication technologies in India. The workshop is an important milestone in strengthening India’s capabilities in food authentication, with a special focus on fisheries, through the use of advanced scientific tools and by fostering international collaborations. ICAR-CIFT’s designation as a Centre of Excellence is expected to boost research in this area, promoting new technologies to ensure the integrity of food products. This move also positions India at the forefront of global efforts to enhance food safety and traceability through cutting-edge research innovations.

In the keynote address, Dr. L.N. Murthy, Senior Executive Director of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, highlighted the need for national traceability of fish and fishery products. The technical sessions were led by Shri Shrinivas B. Joshi, Associate Director of the Food & Environment Market, Waters India Pvt. Ltd., and Dr. Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee, Senior Scientist at ICAR-CIFT.

This recognition marks a significant milestone in

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, IT, R&D

The Mobile app aims to empower fish farmers with a convenient and efficient platform to report diseases on their farms.

In order to bolster India’s aquaculture industry, the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) project, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, has recently launched the ‘Report Fish Disease-App’ on the Google Play Store. This innovative mobile application aims to empower fish farmers with a convenient and efficient platform to report diseases on their farms, said ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of Fisheries Technology) in a statement.

Its intuitive and user-friendly interface enables easy accessibility for fish farmers. Another feature this app offers is its easy disease reporting format, where farmers can easily report disease outbreaks by providing essential information such as location, species affected, symptoms observed, and images.

This data is crucial for a rapid response and an accurate diagnosis. Geo-tagging is a technology to pinpoint the exact location of the farm and facilitate swift responses from authorities and the receivers get real-time updates on the status of their reported cases, ensuring transparency and accountability in the disease management process.

The Mobile app aims to empower fish