Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR CIFT)

Workshop on Hygienic preparation of Smoked Fish

A one day workshop on “Hygienic preparation of smoke cured fish employing COFISKI” was held at Visakhapatnam Research Centre of ICAR-CIFT for the benefit of 29 women fishers of Meghalaya and officers of Department of Fisheries, Gov. of Meghalaya on 6 August, 2015. The programme conducted in collaboration with Institute of Livelihood Research and Training, Hyderabad started with an introduction of ICAR-CIFT activities in relation to development of NEH states by Dr. G. Rajeswari, Principal Scientist and Scientist in Charge. Dr. Rajeswari further explained about the technologies developed at ICAR-CIFT based on rural needs both for harvesting fish such as foldable fish traps, eco-friendly fishing nets and insulated fish bags for keeping quality of fish after harvest. Dr. S.S. Tabrez Nasar, Vice Dean, Institute of Livelihood Research and Training spoke on need for development of fisheries and improvement of livelihood conditions of fishers especially those residing in interior places. Dr. M.M. Prasad, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, NEH and TSP Programs explained that different models of COFISKI’s were developed at ICAR-CIFT Visakhapatnam Research Centre that are safe for operation from health point of view, green in consuming one third of fuel (wood) per charge that is normally consumed in traditional fish smoke curing kilns and were designed taking into consideration ergonomics of women fishers of NEH Region. Dr. U. Sridhar, Principal Scientist talked on different fishing gears developed at ICAR-CIFT for fast flowing rivers of NEH states. Dr. B. Madhusudana Rao, Senior Scientist spoke on importance of hygiene in handling the post harvest fish and also for longer shelf life. After the inaugural deliberations all the trainees were given hands on demonstration on smoke curing of fish by scientific and hygienic conditions employing COFISKI. In the feedback all the trainees wanted more number of COFISKI’s in their respective areas. The trainees were given five insulated fish bags, two foldable fish traps and two nylon monofilament nets on gratis.