National Seminar Fish Tech-19 at Veraval

Inauguration of FishTech-19 by Dr. Radhakrishnan.T, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh

A one-day National Seminar, FishTech-19 on ‘Fishery Waste Management: Challenges and Business Opportunities in Gujarat’ has been jointly organized by Veraval Research Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and Society of Fisheries Technologists (India), Kochi at The Imperial Hotel, Somnath, Veraval on 10th July, 2019.

Dr. Radhakrishnan.T, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh, in his inaugural address complimented VRC of ICAR-CIFT for conducting the seminar since the topic assumes great importance due to its connection with Swachh Bharat Mission and Doubling farmer’s income, the flagship programmes of Government of India. He highlighted the importance of fisheries and aquaculture as one of the fastest growing food sectors in the world. He said that fish is generally disliked by a section of the society due to its smell. But, many are unaware of the fact that Ambergris or the vomit of sperm whale is used to make expensive perfumes. He emphasized the need for efficient collaborations between academia and industry to ensure the success of compounds derived seafood waste as nutraceuticals and health care ingredients that can make significant contributions to the treatment of human ailments.

Mr. PiyushBhai Fofandi, President, Seafood Exporters Association, Gujarat Chapter was the guest of honour. He stated that organization of a National Seminar on fish waste utilization was a timely initiative considering the fact that only 50-60 % of the marine fish landing is used for human consumption and the rest is getting wasted. He underlined that conventionally the wastes are either dumped or converted into low value products like fish meal. But, these waste materials have huge potential to be converted into high value products. He expressed hope that the seminar will act as a knowledge sharing platform for industrialists, entrepreneurs and fishermen and will provide fruitful futuristic direction for the overall growth and development of the seafood industry.

Earlier in the function, Dr. Toms C. Joseph welcomed the gathering and gave a brief account of the objectives of the seminar. He stated that the consumption of fish has globally increased in recent decades, as a result of better understanding of their health benefits. The processing discards of fish are also rich in several nutraceuticals and biologically active compounds, which mainly include fish oil containing omega-3 PUFAs. With rapid developments in biotechnology, there is vast scope to make use of the wastes as sources of valuable nutraceuticals and other ingredients.

The inaugural function was presided over by Dr. Zynudheen A. A, HOD, QAM Division, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin. In his speech, he briefed about the various technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT for utilization of seafood discards and its applications. He stressed on generating new age entrepreneurship in fisheries sector and invited the industrialists present in the programme to register as incubatees in the BPD (Business Planning and Development) unit of ICAR-CIFT Cochin for transfer of technologies.

Dr. Divu. D, SIC, Veraval RC of ICAR-CMFRI has wished all the success for the seminar. He has added that the seminar was conducted at the right time when lot of discussions on blue revolution is happening in the country. He further stressed upon the importance of sustainable development in fisheries sector with conservation of aquatic resources.

Shri. Lakham Bhai Bhensla, President, Kharwa Community also graced the occasion. Dr. Ashish Kumar Jha, Scientist, Veraval RC of ICAR-CIFT proposed the formal vote of thanks.

On this occasion, a souvenir containing articles on recent advancements in the area of fishery waste management and technical bulletins were released by the chief guest.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by technical session. The seminar was organized as a series of lectures from experienced experts in the relevant areas. The national seminar brought different stakeholders including scientists, academicians, seafood exporters, quality managers, technologists, entrepreneurs and students on one platform and enabled them to share the recent technological interventions in the area of fishery waste utilization. More than 100 delegates representing various organizations participated in the seminar.

Release of the souvenir of FishTech-19

A section of the audience

Shri. Dominique Gillet from France delivering a talk on applications of chitin, chitosan and its derivatives