The first meeting of Aquaculture Sub-committee (FAD 12:1) and Tenth meeting of Fish, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectional Committee, FAD 12 of Bureau of Indian Standards were held at Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai on July 16 and July 17, 2015; respectively.
The first meeting of Aquaculture Sub-committee (FAD 12:1) was coordinated by Dr C. P. Balasubraminan, PS, CIBA, Convenor, FAD (12:1). Dr B. Meenakumari, Former DDG (Fisheries), ICAR (Chairperson, FAD 12) and Dr Bhawana, Scientist ‘B’, Food and Agriculture Deptt, BIS welcomed the gathering. In her address, Dr Meenakumari, emphasized the need for the development of standards for aquaculture produce and management practices, as quality standards are crucial for Indian aquaculture produce to meet the requirements at global markets. Dr K. K. Vijayan, Director, CIBA, in his special address, showed concerns about the upcoming private certification bodies at domestic and international level, and the confusion created by the multiplicity of these bodies. Further, he recommended that CIBA along with other government agencies, such as CAA, MPEDA, CIFT, CMFRI, CIBA etc., and BIS should involve in developing standards and certification relevant to India and that can be flagged at the international level. Dr Balasubramanian explained the process of transformation of Best Management Practices (BMP) to standards, which is important for all the stakeholders and Government as well. The decision and recommendation of sub-committee were endorsed in the tenth meeting of FAD 12, which was conducted on July 17, 2015, and chaired by Dr B. Meenakumari. The roadmap for bringing up the standards was further discussed and finalized. Dr Bhawana thanked the chairperson and participants, and further, she expressed her gratefulness to Director, CIBA for having been hosting the meetings.
