There is an urgent need for a relook at the harvesting systems in fisheries in the context of sustainable fisheries, E.G. Silas, former Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University, has said.
Silas, who is also the former director of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), stressed on the need to give importance to use of underwater technologies such as scuba diving, remotely operated vehicles and remote sensing.
He was delivering the inaugural address at the 21-day winter school on ‘Fish harvesting systems for resource conservation’ at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology here.
He pointed out that energy conservation in fisheries harvest, implementation of code of conduct and best practices needs to be given more thrust. The impact of unsustainable fishing pressure and fish famine is to be kept in mind while formulating strategies for sustainable fisheries, he added.
The winter school is being organised for 25 participants from across the country comprising teachers, researchers and subject matter specialists associated with fisheries. It aims to provide the participants with the latest information on fish harvesting systems with special emphasis on resource conservation.
T.K. Srinivasa Gopal, Director, CIFT, highlighted the efforts made by the Institute for sustainable and responsible fisheries in the country.
D.K. Gulati, Zonal Director, Fishery Survey of India, said the problems of fish harvesting needs to be addressed looking at different perspectives such as livelihood options and sustainability. He also released the winter school manual by handing over a copy to Silas.
Leela Edwin, Head of Fishing Technology, CIFT, welcomed the gathering.
Saly N. Thomas, Director, winter school, gave a brief introduction about the school and P. Pravin, senior scientist proposed a vote of thanks.