The aquaculture in India at the moment is witnessing increased interest in the farming of consumer-oriented indigenous finfishes such as Sea Bass, Cobia, Milkfish & Grey Mullet and exotic Nile Tilapia & Catfish (Pangasiussp), resulting in the overall production in the country. When the bulk quantity of these newly introduced fishes are produced, understanding the market and proper planning in the marketing, is need of the hour. Such management measures in the disposal of harvested fish vary depending on the species, size and volume of fish and regional demands. In this backdrop, a National Workshop on “MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR NEWLY CULTURED FISHES IN INDIA” has been organised jointly by The Fisheries Technocrats Forum (FTF), & ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), at CIBA, Chennai.
The Workshop deliberations focused on i) the current status of seed production, grow-out culture and production trends of Sea Bass, Cobia, Milkfish, Grey Mullet, Nile Tilapia and Vietnamese Catfish, ii) problems in marketing of these newly cultured fishes and iii) strategies for enhanced production of these species of fish and their marketing so as to ensure higher economic returns for fish culturists.
During the inaugural function, Dr A.R. Thirunavukkarasu, Chairman, FTF welcomed the gathering, while Dr K.K. Vijayan, Director, CIBA gave the presidential address. The felicitations were offered by Dr V. Sugunan, Former ADG-ICAR and presently Senior Consultant, NFDB and Dr S. Santhanakrishnan, M/s Marine Technologies, Chennai. Dr P. Ravichandran, Member-Secretary, Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) inaugurated the workshop. Dr M. Kumaran, Principal Scientist, CIBA proposed a vote of thanks.
Under three technical sessions, namely, 1) Review of Current modalities in marketing of the newly cultured fishes (Presented by fish marketing professionals and 1 by CIBA Principal scientist, 2) status of seed production, nursery rearing and grow-out culture of Sea Bass, Cobia, Grey Mullets, Milkfish, Nile Tilapia and Vietnamese Catfish were presented by scientists from CMFRI, NIOT & RGCA and 2 by private entrepreneurs and 3) In the panel discussion on ‘ Future strategies for speedy disposal of cultured fishes’ the points raised during the inaugural function and the presentation were discussed and a way forward was presented for the stakeholders and the policy makers.
A total of 123 personnel including the special invitees from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, scientific/technical staff of CIBA & CMFRI, the members of FTF, state fisheries officials, private entrepreneurs and college teaching staff/students participated in the one-day event at CIBA, Chennai.
