ICAR-CIBA celebrated the World Fisheries Day – 2024 (WFD) alongwith fishers and fish farmers at Pattipulam village, Chengalpattu district and jointly with Fish For All Centre of M.S.Swaminthan Research Foundation at Poombhuhar, Tamil Nadu on 21st November 2024. Altogether about 240 fishers, SCSP fish farmers, members of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPO) and community facilitators participated in the events. This year’s WFD theme is “Investing in Social Protection to Secure Equitable Blue Transformation in the Fisheries Sector,” highlighting the importance of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management and well-being of fishing communities.
At Pattipulam the scientists have explained about the role of brackishwater aquaculture in India’s fisheries sector, fostering community-based conservation of water and fishery resources for livelihood development, sustainable fisheries practices to ensure healthy aquatic ecosystems and food security and ICAR-CIBA’s aquaculture based livelihood development models focusing on innovations that empower small-scale fishers and farmers. During the event, fish net materials were distributed to the SC beneficiaries to support their aquaculture activities, reflecting ICAR-CIBA’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities. Dr. C.V. Sairam, Principal Scientist, Dr. P.S. Shyne Anand, Senior Scientist, Dr. Raymond Jani Angel, Senior Scientist, Dr. K. Anantharaja, Shri. C. Siva and Shri.R.Aravind Scientists coordinated the event.
In Poombhuhar the participants were sensitized about the importance of sustainable fisheries, habitat protection, responsible fishing methods and gears, climate change and its impacts on fisheries, the contributions of fishing communities towards fishery resource management and conservation of coastal ecosystems towards promoting equitable blue transformation in the fisheries sector. Two panel discussions on progress, impact of diverse community sections and the way forward to secure equitable blue transformation of fisheries sector. Representatives from three Fish Farmer Producer Organizations presented their performances and expectations from the institutions. Later, WFD awards were presented to various fisher groups for their outstanding contributions for sustainable management of fishery resources and environment conservation. Dr.K.Ambasankar, Head, Nutrition, Genetics and Bio-technology Division and Dr.M.Kumaran, Principal Scientist & Coordinator, CIBA-MSSRF joint programmes for community development coordinated event along with Dr.S.Velvizhi, Head, FFA centre of MSSRF and her team.
