The 27th Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting of ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) was conducted during 29-30 March 2022 at the headquarters in Chennai. Chairman of the RAC committee, Prof. Madhusoodana Kurup, Former Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Members Dr. M. Vijayakumaran, Retired Principal Scientist of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Dr. Lalit C. Garg, Retired Scientist of National Institute of Immunology (NII), Shri. S. Santhana Krishnan, CEO of Maritech Pvt. Ltd., Chennai and Dr. Pravin Puthra, Assistant Director General (Marine Fisheries), ICAR participated in the two days deliberation. Initially, Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, CIBA welcomed the delegates and briefly presented research programmes being carried out at the institute along with major achievements during 2021-22. In the opening remarks, the Chairman and the members highly appreciated the significant research contribution of CIBA scientists and wished the same tempo to be maintained for the sustainable development of brackishwater aquaculture sector. Subsequently, all the Division and Section Heads of the Institute presented in detail the research achievements for the past one year and the same were discussed in length by the committee and valuable suggestions were offered for improvement. Earlier, the RAC Chairman also visited the infrastructure facilities at Muttukadu Experimental Station and the upcoming Kovalam Experimental Station of ICAR-CIBA and interacted with scientists. After all the presentations, in the valedictory session, the Chairman and the Members suggested recommendations to be incorporated in research programmes of the institute. They suggested to include a road map for future research with an emphasis on domestication of potential shrimp and finfish species, genomic studies on other important finfish species, preventive mechanisms for major diseases, studies on nutri-genomics, revisiting brackishwater aquaculture ecosystem vis-à-vis fish growth and feeding habits, expansion of research findings through Public-Private Partnership mode, providing need based skill development programmes etc. At the end, Dr. S.K. Otta Principal Scientist and Member Secretary, RAC proposed the vote of thanks.
