Dept of Fisheries organises webinar on “Fish for Health and Fish for Wealth”

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India (GoI) organized a webinar on “Fish for Health and Fish for Wealth” as a part of “Azadika Amrit Mahotsav”. The event was organized under the chairmanship of Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF), GoI. More than100participants attended the event that included DoF officials of GoI and States/UTs, faculty from state agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries universities, entrepreneurs, farmers, hatchery owners, representative from aquaculture industry etc.

The event started with the Welcome address by A. Siddiqui, Fisheries Development Commissioner(FDC), DoF. A brief outline of the webinar was shared with the distinguished panelists Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, DoF, Sagar Mehra, JointSecretary(Inland Fisheries), DoF, Dr. B.K. Das, Director, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) and other participants.

Inhisinauguraladdress, Secretary, DoF made participants aware about the evolution of the fisheries sector in Indian and development on its extension activities. Different aspects affecting fish consumption such as income status, easy availability of fish in coastal areas as compared to the northern part of India, taste preferences as per location etc were briefly explained. Secretary, DoF further highlighted that components supportedunderPradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana (PMMSY) promote ‘fish for increasing both nutritional benefits and wealth’ particularly through the freshwater aquaculture species and practice. The participants were also made aware of the steps taken by DoF and NFDB for promotion of the PMMSY scheme and generate awareness on nutritional value of fish.

Joint Secretary (IF, DoF) in his address highlighted the importance of fisheries, livelihood opportunities provided through fisheries activities across the sector, related socio-economic developments, and importance of biodiversity of flora and fauna. He also elaborated upon importance of diversifying fish species and consumption of fish because of its health benefits for children, women and fisher communities. The participants were made aware of the numerous health benefits provided through fish consumption due to micronutrients, minerals and animal proteins present including Omega 3 and Fatty acids that are very useful for our health. Therefore, with the aim to increase fish consumption, DoF will be taking up surveys to understand consumer preferences and focus on value chain improvements through implementation and benefits offered by PMMSY scheme in all States/UTs. These activities include establishing and improving infrastructure such as cold storage, auction markets, disbursement of information on various kinds of aquaculture, aquatic health management, entrepreneurs etc. It was highlighted that fisheries’ taken up by youth and women shall significantly boost employment and incomes of all stakeholders.

During the technical session, Dr. B.K. Das, Director, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI, WestBengal) was invited to address the participants. The discussion was focused on ‘Fish for Health’ and ‘Emergence of fish and shellfish diseases in India: Prevention and Mitigation’. Director, CIFRI emphasized on importance of consumption of fish for health benefits such as overcoming micronutrient deficiencies, increased immunity against diseases, a tool for fighting malnutrition and increasing nutritional security across the nation.

Director, CIFRI further explained about the emerging fish and shellfish diseases in India and methods to prevent the same. He made the participants aware of capture, culture and cage culture wastes, kind of diseases that occur in inland open waters, bacterial, viral and fungal diseases in cage culture, fish mortality in cage culture etc. Diagnostic, mitigation and preventive methods were also discussed during the session.

After the technical session,an open discussion was held with the fish farmers, entrepreneurs, hatchery owners, scientists, and faculty of universities. The discussion was led by I.A. Siddiqui, FDC – DoF. Post the interaction, the webinar concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr.S. K.Dwivedi, Assistant Commissioner, DoF.