ICAR-CIBA conducted the first digital conference on Brackishwater Aquaculture Scenario in India with a focus on shrimp farming during COVID-19: Challenges and Way Forward on 3rd June, 2020. The purpose of the conference was to flag of the issues faced by the sector in the current scenario of COVID-19 and measures to be undertaken for a way forward to tackle the negative impacts. Expert panelists who lead the discussions consisted of Dr. Jujjavarapu Balaji, IAS, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries) representing the Ministry of Fisheries, Government of India, Dr Pravin Puthra, ADG (Marine Fisheries), ICAR, Director, the Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Dr. Arul Victor Suresh, President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Mr. Madusoothan Reddy, Secretary, All India Shrimp Hatcheries Association (AISHA), Mr. Elias Sait, Secretary General, Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), representatives of the Fisheries Departments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Dr. K.K. Vijayan Co-ordinated the programme along with Co- Coordinator Dr. K. Ambasankar and other CIBA colleagues who made presentations related to seed, feed, health institutional support and reaching farmers through digital communication. About 1800 participants representing the shrimp farmers, aqua professionals, researchers, inputs dealers, processors and marketers, state department officials, academicians and students registered and participated in the on-line conference
Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director CIBA, in his opening remarks highlighted the various issues and challenges faced by the different stakeholders of the brackishwater sector, particularly by the shrimp farming sector during the COVID-19 lockdown scenario. He articulated the survey conducted by CIBA projected a scenario of 40% loss in farmed shrimp production and export worth Rs.10000 crores due to the lock down. Resource Scientists from CIBA in their presentations shared the possible adaptive measures pertaining to seed production and supply, species diversification, feed on input supply, water quality, disease diagnosis and management, farm automation, institutional credit and insurance support and extension outreach, through training, communication through mobile application and digital platforms.
Dr. Jujjavarapu Balaji, IAS, Joint Secretary, Fisheries, Govt. of India in his remarks highlighted the programme envisaged by the Central Govt, to support and promote the Indian aquaculture sector including shrimp farming. Joint secretary stressed the need for diversification of species in the farming basket and specifically mentioned about having native Indian white shrimp as species of choice for the future and its genetic improvement through selective breeding, and suggested CIBA to play a leading role, and appreciated CIBA for the organizing the useful e-conference. He also said the Union government is interested in considering funding for research and development on ornamental fish, seaweed, polychaete, etc. He also stressed the need for the framework on insurance plans in aquaculture and need-based regularization of the rights.
Mr. Elias Sait, Seafood Exporters Association, thanked govt. of India for initiating the scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India with a financial support of Rs.20,000 crores to the fisheries sector outlining various programs, as a first of its kind. He said, though lockdown severely affected the industry in the first 2 weeks, it is regaining to its normality in the recent past after the phased relaxation of the lockdown, and assured that seafood prices would be better in the future with a swift recovery.
Dr. Arul Victor Suresh, President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), congratulated CIBA for organizing such an excellent meet and bringing together people from all the shrimp aquaculture sectors together, having meaningful interactions. He wished that all the stakeholders should communicate frequently and work together, particularly concerning the policies to ensure sustainable development of brackishwater aquaculture.
Mr. Madusoothan Reddy, All India Shrimp Hatchery Association, spoke on the economic loss to the shrimp hatcheries due to the impact of COVID19. He stressed the significance of national disease surveillance and to have new programme on the production of SPF polychaete in the country, which is a key requirement for the shrimp hatchery operations.
Dr Pravin Puthra, ADG (Marine Fisheries), ICAR explained the significant role of the CIBA in the brackishwater aquaculture sector and the extent ICAR can contribute to the sector as ad R&D partner. More than 800 queries raised by the participants during the virtual conference have been addressed by the panelists and resource persons form CIBA. Dr.S.V.Alavandi, Dr.M.Kailasam, Dr.C.Balasubramanian, Dr. M. Muralidhar Dr.T.Ravisankar, Dr.K.Ambasankar, Dr.M.Kumaran, Principal Scientists, ICAR-CIBA presented the adaptive measures and Dr.P.K.Pail and Dr. R.Saraswathy moderated the discussions. The technical support for the digitial conference was taken care by Mr. J.Ashok Kumar and Mr. S.Nagarajan
