A national seminar on “Prophylaxis in Aquaculture’’ was organised under Consortium Research Platform on vaccines and diagnostics on 16th November 2016 at ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai. Consortium partners from national institutes viz., IVRI, CMFRI, NBFGR, CIFA and CIFE participated in the seminar and made presentations on the progress of their work on the development of vaccines and diagnostics, followed by discussions.
Chief guest Dr Aniket Sanyal, Joint Director, IVRI inaugurated and released a compendium on “prophylaxis in Aquaculture”. In his inaugural address, stressed the importance of national collaboration for vaccines, diagnostics and prophylactics in all the three major food producing sectors, viz, agriculture, veterinary and fisheries for effective disease prevention and eradication. He stated that the improved diagnostics and vaccines from the CRP-on Vaccines and Diagnostics will be useful in preventing disease outbreaks and transmission in all the three food production sectors. Dr K. K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA during his presidential address stressed the importance of nutritional security through sustainable protein production from various sectors and highlighted the continuous contribution of aquaculture in quality protein production. He further mentioned that the responsibility of aquatic animal health groups is rather challenging due to the multiplicity of pathogens involved, the complexity of transmission of aquatic pathogens, the emergence of new pathogens and parasites with the culture intensification. He pointed out the benefits of a heterogeneous group of scientists working together since their ideas converge to improve products and technologies for the benefit of the stakeholders and farmers. Further, he added that through collaborations the skills of the researchers will be enriched, refreshed and shared.
The National seminar consisted of presentations from various experts from different ICAR institutes. Dr B.P.Srinivasa, Principal Scientist, IVRI, Bengaluru elaborated the importance of ’Quality control on biological products’. Dr M. Makesh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIBA made a presentation on the recent trends in ‘Fish vaccination’ and highlighted the requirement of commercial vaccines for warm water fishes. Dr.J.Mohanty, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, in his presentation on ‘Vaccines on finfish parasites’ highlighted the constraints of vaccine development for fish parasites. Dr.P.K. Patil, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIBA emphasized the future potential of probiotics in health management in Aquaculture’.
Earlier Dr. M. Makesh, Principal Scientist and Coordinator (Fisheries Sector), CRP on Vaccines and diagnostics, welcomed the delegates and gave a preamble of the seminar. Dr S.V. Alavandi, Principal Scientists & Head, Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division highlighted the requirement of improved diagnostics and prophylactics for the highly dynamic aquatic system where disease management is rather complex and necessitate the requirement of preventive measures rather than intervention approach. Dr.P.K.Patil, an associate scientist in the programme proposed the vote of thanks.