ICAR-CIFT Celebrated National Technology Day

As a part of “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” activity,  ICAR-central Institute of Fisheries technology, Cochin celebrated National Technology Day at Munambam on 6^th May, 2016. The programme was sponsored by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Thiruvananthauram.

The presidential address was followed by a talk by Dr. Leela Edwin, HOD, Fishing Technology Division on ‘Responsible fishing methods’. She detailed the present status of fishing and the consequences of non-judicious increase in size and power of fishing fleet which will deplete the fishery resources. The advantages of using square mesh codend and other conservation measures in fishing were also highlighted by the speaker. She also stressed on exploitation of fishery resources judiciously and told that ICAR-CIFT is ready to extend any technological help in area of fishing craft and gear. Dr. A.A. Zynudheen, Principal Scientist, Fish Processing addressed the participants on ‘Fish value addition and fishery waste utilization’. He discussed the overall trend in fish production from the country and pointed out that the fish production from inland sources has  increased over years. It is double than the fish landed from marine sector. He noted that the fish landed at Munambam is transported to far and wide but the processing infrastructure is very minimal in the area. He pointed out that the diversification in fish post harvest sector by developing various fishery byproducts  will reduce the environmental impact. ICAR-CIFT has done pioneering work in  developing various types of  industrial and pharmaceutical products which can be commercialized. He also invited the stakeholders to register at the Incubation Facility at ICAR-CIFT for commercialization of fishery-based technologies. A video film on technologies developed at ICAR-CIFT  was also screened for the participants.  An interactive session was held at the end of the programme which  was coordinated by Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Principal Scientist and the stakeholders expressed their training needs. A total 35 fishermen and fisherwomen participated in the programme in addition to 22 officials from various state departments and the local panchayaths.

 Shri K.K. Joshi inaugurating the programme

Dr. Suseela Mathew delivering the presidential address

A section of the participants