CIFT-RC of Veraval Organized National Conference on VALUE FISH 2014

A two-day National Conference on ‘Emerging Safety and Technological Issues in Seafood Industry’ entitled ‘VALUE FISH – 2014’ was organised at Central Institute for Fisheries Technology Research Centre (CIFT-RC), Veraval, Gujarat during 14-15 March, 2014 by the Zonal Technology Management – Business Planning & Development (ZTM-BPD) Unit of CIFT in association with National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad and Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore. The event was organised to identify the emerging technological trends in seafood industry, and also realising the challenges in international and national trade, and in meeting consumer expectations.

Dr. K. Radhakrishna, Additional Director, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), inaugurated the conference. During his inaugural address he said that fish play an important role in ensuring the nutritional security of the country. He also appreciated the role of CIFT in promoting responsible and sustainable harvest and post-harvest technologies in fisheries sector by conducting basic, strategic and applied research, and undertaking consultancy, training, testing and technology transfer.

Dr. T.K. Srinivasa Gopal, Director, CIFT, Cochin presided over the meeting. During his address he said that in the last few decades, there have been significant developments in food processing technology that have opened up various new possibilities for more value added products longer shelf-life, and more secure distribution of fresh food. This is particularly important for fish and fishery products because of their inherent short shelf-life. Later he mentioned that National Conference, “Value Fish 2014” will provide an excellent opportunity to interact, network, and exchange information, ideas and business opportunities among scientists, fishery entrepreneur and state machinery.

Dr. C.K. Murthy, Executive Director, NFDB, Hyderabad, Dr. A.Y. Desai, Dean College of Fisheries, Veraval and Shri Lakhambhai Bhensla, President, Seafood Exporters Association of India, Gujarat Chapter were present in the inaugural function. Earlier, Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Principal Scientist & Head, Fish Processing Division, CIFT, Cochin welcomed the participants. Finally Dr. Rajendra Badonia, Scientist-in-Charge, CIFT Research Centre, Veraval proposed the Vote of thanks.

VALUE FISH 2014 consisted of exclusive technical conference sessions that featured technical presentations and interactive discussions for providing a topical arena for the industry professionals to enhance their technical knowledge, and share ideas with scientific community. The Technical sessions covered topics like advances in fish processing technology, safety and regulatory issues in seafood industry, industry reflections, role of developmental agencies and interactive session on future needs on capacity building/EDP, infrastructure including incubation centers, regulations and Interventions from research and developmental agencies. The Conference was attended by representatives from seafood industry, officials from state fisheries departments, Scientists and Professors from State Agriculture Universities, different research organizations and KVKs.