Most Respected

Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Upa Rashtrapatiji,
Smt. Mercykutty Amma, Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Harbour Engineering and Cashew Industry,
Dr. K.T. Jaleel, Hon’ble Minister for Local Self Governments,
Dr. T. Mohapatra, Director General, ICAR,
Prof K.V. Thomas, Member of Parliament, Ernakulam
Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General, ICAR,
Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology,
Dear Delegates, Scientists, Researchers, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    It gives me great joy to preside over the inauguration of the 11th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, organized to discuss issues relating to research, development and policy formation on fisheries and aquaculture. We are indeed fortunate to have the dignified presence of our Hon’ble Upa Rashtrapatiji in this Forum. This is his first visit to Kerala after assuming office. On behalf of everyone present here, I welcome our Hon’ble Upa Rashtrapatiji to Kerala and to Kochi.

    Today's programme has been organized jointly by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research and the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch, with the aim of building higher levels of sustainability and profitability in the aquaculture and fisheries sector, in line with the Blue Growth Initiative.   

    As we all know, the blue economy model of growth is based on fisheries, renewable energy, infrastructure, industry and to a certain extent, tourism.  The ICAR -Central Institute for Fisheries Technology has been effectively supporting the Blue Economy model of Growth by developing harvest and post-harvest technologies for processing, packaging, product development, quality assurance etc., through dedicated research.
    The Central  Institute, which is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year, has already given to society, nearly 70 technologies ready for use.  It has also been utilizing secondary raw materials from fish and shell fish processing for developing high-value products. The studies by this Institute have helped to develop methods for micro-biological examination of sea-foods. The institute's collaboration with the Asian Fisheries Society, India Branch would certainly yield better results in scientific research in fisheries and aquaculture.

     As we all know, India gets an annual production of over 10.07 million tonnes of fish and shellfish. Fisheries now contributes to one percent of the Gross Domestic Product of India and provides livelihood to around 15 million people.   India's export of fish products stands second only to rice in foreign exchange earnings.   

    At the same time, our dependence on the sea and other water resources has now moved beyond the search for food and broadened to the search for medicines, industrial products etc.  This has resulted in the loss of marine biodiversity, which may even lead to what scientists call a biodiversity crisis. We also face issues in the freshwater aquaculture, for which solutions lie in bringing more species of promise into carp culture, increasing the areas under aquaculture, fish health management  etc.
     I understand that this Forum proposes to discuss these and other major issues hindering the growth of fisheries and aquaculture. It is commendable that this Forum would   deliberate on ten areas including Fisheries Resources, Systems for Sustainable Fisheries, Fisheries Trade, Policy and Governance and Value addition.

       Let us not forget that the coastal areas are among those most affected by lack of health care and education, high exposure to pollution, social ills and exploitation. Thus, the Blue Growth Model must serve the interests of coastal communities and the general population. This calls for the integration of our Ocean Economy with principles of social inclusion, environmental sustainability and innovative business models.

    I sincerely hope that the deliberations of the 11th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum will address these issues and evolve new initiatives that would boost our blue economy and improve the quality of life of our people.

    I greet the Indian and foreign delegates participating in this Forum and wish them all the best. I compliment the ICAR Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and the Asian Fisheries Society for conducting this event in a befitting manner.

    With these words, I request our Hon’ble Upa Rashtrapatiji to kindly inaugurate this Forum.

Thank You,
Jai Hind.