Kerala Governor Sheila Dikshit has stressed the need for intensifying research activities to improve the ecological and economic sustainability of fish and shrimp aquaculture.

Low-cost farming system affordable to farmers needs to be developed to exploit the high prospects of fisheries in Kerala, she said while delivering the convocation address after declaring the first Convocation of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) opened.

Global warming is considered one of the principal threats to biodiversity and fisheries. Evidence is now available regarding increase of sea surface temperature, change in ocean productivity and community structure, ocean acidification, sea level rise, change in the time and success of spawning, etc. due to global warming, she said.

The Governor also called upon the university to formulate mitigation and adaptive strategies for the livelihood security of the people involved in the sector and develop climate resilient aquaculture systems suitable for the country.

Research on disease diagnosis, surveillance and management of aquatic organisms also need to be strengthened for the prevention and control of viral and bacterial attack in the shrimp farms of the state, she said.

K.Babu, the State Fisheries Minister and Pro-Chancellor of KUFOS presided. Degree was conferred to 88 students, who passed M.F.Sc or B.F.Sc courses from KUFOS.

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