The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai celebrated its Foundation and Annual Day on 29th December, 2018. On this occasion the institute observed “Open House” by making the laboratories open to the graduate and post graduate students of city colleges and the public to visit the state of the art research facilities. Visiting students showed keen interest in research programs and had active interactions with scientists. The exhibition of brackishwater live fishes, shrimp and Crab species, and an array of ornamental fishes, has been the main attraction. During the interaction with scientists, health benefits of finfishes and shell fishes has been highlighted. The institute research and development activities were displayed as posters, pamphlets and videos, for the benefit of the visitors. Students and staffs from major colleges in the city visited the labs and exhibition during the open day.
The annual day was celebrated in the evening where Dr. M. A. Atmanand, Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai graced the occasion as Chief Guest. On the occasion, Dr. Atmanand appreciated the efforts and achievements of CIBA, and specially appreciated the efforts in bringing the green concepts to the CIBA campus. He also explained about the life cycle of plastic particles entering into human food chain and its adverse consequences. He highlighted the CIBA’s lead role in the frontier areas of aquaculture and emphasized the necessity for the active co-operation between instiutions such as CIBA and NIOT to pave the way for sustainable aquaculture.
Dr K. K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA, in his welcome address, briefed about the progress of the Institute during the past year. He briefed about the leadership role played by the institute in Indian aquaculture front, and also highlighted up on the upcoming “World Brackishwater Aquaculture Conference”, to be held in the institute in the January 2019. Dr. K. Ambasankar, secretary CIBA recreation club explained about the activities of the club and the society of coastal aquaculture and fisheries . For the first time in the history of CIBA, the meritorious staff members of ICAR-CIBA were conferred with awards and certificates in annual Institute Awards for the year 2017-18 for their best performances in designated categories viz., young scientists, senior scientist, technical, administrative, skilled support staff and research scholars. The ceremony also recognized and awarded the contributions of late Mr. Stanline, Technical officer for his outstanding contribution in the field of nutrition and feed technology. The award ceremony was followed by the cultural program. The event was jointly organized by CIBA recreation club and the society of coastal aquaculture and fisheries with participation of about 500 CIBA family members including its retired alumni.
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