DG-ICAR Visits CMFRI

The official launch of β Nodadetect the fish virus diagnostic kit, by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Director-General, ICAR

see page 5

Published by

Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan Director

ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Post Box No. 1603, Ernakulam North P.O.

Kochi - 682 018, Kerala, India Telephone: 0484-2394867 Fax: 91-484-2394909 E-mail: director@cmfri.org.in Website: www.cmfri.org.in

A. Gopalakrishnan Director

Contents

Warm greetings to all.

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uring the quarter, the institute has seen good outcomes from the various projects it operated.

The MoU for commercial production of Cadalmin ADe, an anti-diabetic nutraceutical prepared from seaweeds and the annual official release of the marine fish landings data are worth mentioning. During the period the institute also got recognition under Registered Scientific Institutions List of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which will facilitate species conservation research activities.

The institute has initiated more frequent meaningful interactions with stakeholders in the fisheries sector. Along with the conduct of the annual Institute Research Council meeting, this puts the focus on connect between research activities and providing benefits to the stakeholders and society in the long run. As we head towards the completion of the XII Plan Projects, it is time to take stock of the activities carried out and the achievements to prepare research plans and activities for the future. The revised mandate of ICAR- CMFRI can serve to guide our activities in the coming years. As we move forward, I wish everyone success and good luck in their endeavours.

About ICAR-CMFRI

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, is a premier research Institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, devoted to research and training in marine fisheries and mariculture.

ICAR-CMFRI has three Regional Centres viz., Mandapam Camp, Visakhapatnam and Editor

Dr. U. Ganga

Editorial Board Dr. Rekha J. Nair Dr. R. Jeyabaskaran Dr. Kajal Chakraborty Shri. D. Linga Prabu Smt. P. Geetha Shri. Arun Surendran Shri. P. R. Abhilash

D ^irector s ^peaks

DG-ICAR Visits CMFRI 3

Research Highlights 8

Official Language Implementation 14 International Yoga Day 15

Swachh Bharat 16

Training Programmes 18

Exhibitions 18

Visitors 18

KVK (Ernakulam) News 19 Programme Participations 20 Human Resources Development 22

Personnel 22

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r. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) officially released β Nodadetect, a single tube Reverse Transcription Loop mediated Isothermal Amplification (Single tube RT-Lamp) diagnostic kit for the detection of betanoda virus in infected marine fishes like cobia and sea bass, on 18 April 2016. Mr. Chhabilendra Roul, IAS, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR and Dr. Pravin Puthra, ADG (Marine Fisheries), ICAR were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, who was on a visit to the ICAR-CMFRI, said that science must lead to development of technologies for end users. He appreciated the achievements made by the institute in pioneering work on marine fish breeding and open sea cage culture of cobia and silver pompano which are commercially important species.

On the occasion, Dr. Mohapatra also launched an online web based application for estimation of marine fish landings using PC tablets from the landing centres itself by the Fisheries survey staff of the institute. The application is aimed at facilitating quick data collection and retrieval. ICAR-CMFRI has an important role in collating the National Marine fish Landings database run on a scientific

DG-ICAR Visits CMFRI

sampling programme which is recognized globally. The Website of the Indian Marine Mammal Stranding and Sighting Network (IMMSSN) to be operated by ICAR-CMFRI was also launched on the occasion. The Malayalam translation of the FAO (UN) publication ‘Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small scale Fisheries in the context of Food Security and

Poverty Eradication’ which is the first internationally agreed fisheries governance instrument entirely dedicated to the small scale fisheries sector and developed as a complement to the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), the Citizens’ Charter- of ICAR-CMFRI and ICAR-CMFRI- KVK Newsletter were also released on the occasion.

ICAR-CMFRI signs MoU for commercial production of Anti-diabetic nutraceutical

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r. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI and Dr. A. N. Singh, Managing Director, Celestial Biolabs Ltd., Hyderabad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 25^th April 2016 for commercial production and marketing of Cadalmin^TM ADe, an anti-diabetic nutraceutical, at a function held at ICAR- CMFRI in Kochi. The product was officially released by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri. Radha Mohan Singh on 26^th July 2015 at a function held in Patna on the occassion of ICAR Foundation Day.

Cadalmin^TM ADe is effective to combat type-2 diabetes and has no side effects including hypoglycemia (abnormal lowering of blood glucose levels). The bioactive ingredients in the nutraceutical product interfere with the release of simple sugars from the gut,

Cadalmin^TM Antidiabetic extract for type-2 diabetes goes commercial:

MoU with Celestial Biolabs Ltd.

which in turn reduces postprandial (after eating) hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). Cadalmin^TM ADe contains 100% natural marine bioactive

ingredients from selected seaweeds by a patented technology, and would be made available in 500 mg capsules by Celestial Biolabs Limited, a GMP/ WHO

certified Biopharmaceutical Company based at Hyderabad. The unique biochemical engineering techniques adopted to retain the antidiabetic activities

in the preparation of Cadalmin^{T M} ADe assures higher shelf life. The ICAR- CMFRI is in the process of developing more health products from seaweeds

ICAR-CMFRI Releases Marine Fish Landing Data -2015

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he annual Marine Fish Landing Data in 2015 was released on 30^th May 2016 at a press conference held at the Headquarters. The report revealed that India’s marine fish catch dropped by 5.3% during 2015 compared to the previous year. As per the scientific data, the overall marine fish landings in the country dropped to 3.40 million tonnes (t) during 2015 against 3.59 million t during 2014, recording a fall of 1.89 lakh t (5.3 %).

A sharp decline of 2.79 lakh t (51%) was recorded in the landings of oil sardines mainly in the south west coast comprising Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.

Only 2.66 lakh t oil sardine was landed during 2015 against 5.45 lakh t in 2014 and its contribution as the single largest species in the landings reduced from 15%

in 2014 to 8% in 2015.The catch (in lakh t) of other important species/groups

Official Release of the Annual Marine Fish Landings Data - 2015 recorded during 2015 were lesser

sardines 2.56, Indian mackerel 2.38, penaeid prawns 1.99, ribbon fishes 1.77, threadfin breams 1.63, croakers 1.55, non-penaeid prawns 1.49, scads 1.12 and Bombay duck 1.10. Among these resources, the catch of lesser sardines, Indian mackerel, threadfin breams and

scads improved compared to the last year while the other resources showed decrease in catch. The high value fish Hilsa Shad, which is the main driver for the success of the fishery in West Bengal, showed improvement in the landings from 5,247 t in 2014 to 20,659 t in 2015.

Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan visits

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nion Minister of State for Agriculture

& Farmers’ Welfare, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan visited ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi to attend the ‘Interface Meeting with Kochi based institutes under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’ on June 15^th 2016. Speaking at the meeting, he urged the scientists to focus on farmer- oriented research activities to improve the agriculture sector of the country. He stressed that scientists should always think for the farmer who is the cornerstone of India’s agriculture sector. Long-term planning was required to formulate developmental projects aimed at boosting the agriculture and fish production in the country, he added.

Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI welcomed the gathering and made a brief presentation of the Institute’s activities and achievements. The Hon’ble minister was apprised of the on- going core activities and technologies developed by the various institutes. He appreciated the contributions of ICAR-

Interface meeting in progress CMFRI in the development of sea cage

farming and seed production technology for species such as cobia, silver pompano and orange spotted grouper. Dr. A.

Gopalakrishnan, Director ICAR-CMFRI, requested a mariculture policy should be formulated for systematic sea cage farming as this institute has already transferred the technology to farmers. The Directors of other ICAR institutes like ICAR-CIFT,

ICAR-CIFRI, and ICAR-NBFGR; National Institute of Fisheries Post-harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical &

Engineering Training (CIFNET), Fishery Survey of India, Coconut Development Board, Plant Quarantine & Fumigation Station, Spices Board and Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development also attended the meeting.

based on the National Policy to harness the potential of this natural wealth from the sea.

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etanoda virus causes Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN) also known as Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy (VER) in larvae and juveniles of marine fin fish, resulting in mass mortalities. No effective treatments are available and those fish surviving the infection remain carriers of the virus, facilitating vertical and horizontal transmission. Hence only preventive measures like vaccination, regular screening of broodstock, eggs, larvae and fingerlings besides effective disposal of positively diagnosed specimens are options available to prevent disease outbreaks associated with betanodavirus in hatcheries and aquaculture farms. To achieve this, ICAR-CMFRI has developed a single tube Reverse Transcription - Loop - mediated Isothermal Amplification (single tube RT-LAMP) kit named β-Nodadetect for the detection of

betanodavirus in infected fish. The kit is highly specific, sensitive and rapid and can detect a single copy of virus in less than one hour. Positive reaction is diagnosed by a green fluorescence that can be visualized by naked eye under visible or UV light (using protective goggles).

Sophisticated equipments like a thermal cycler or trans-UV illuminator are not needed. Mainly intended to screen marine brood stock fish to ensure certified specific pathogen free eggs and

larvae in a sensitive and rapid way, it will also aid the timely diagnosis and prevent the spread of disease in marine culture systems. The hatchery production of marine fish seeds is economically important in the context of enhanced marine fish seed requirements arising out of the increasing popularity of Marine cage culture along the Indian coast.

(Reported by : M. A. Pradeep, Marine Biotechnology Division)

βββββ-Nodadetect (RT-LAMP) RT-nested PCR

Steps involved Approx. cost Steps involved Approx. cost

RNA isolation, RT-LAMP ` 390/reaction RNA isolation, RT-PCR, ` 644/reaction 1^st Step PCR, Nested PCR,

Agarose gel electrophoresis

Equipments required Approx. cost Equipments required Approx. cost Refrigerated centrifuge, Water ` 4.5 Lakhs Refrigerated centrifuge, Thermal Cycler, `12 Lakhs

Bath Trans UV illuminator, Power Pack,

Horizontal Electrophoresis unit

Steps involved Time Requirement Steps involved Time Requirement RNA isolation, Reaction 2 hours 15 min RNA isolation, Reaction preparation, 6 hours 20 min

preparation, RT-LAMP RT-PCR, 1^st Step PCR, Nested PCR,

Agarose gel electrophoresis, Trans UV visualisation

Sensitization workshop on Fullbright Fellowship

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n collaboration with the United States India Education Foundation (USIEF), New Delhi, a sensitization workshop on Fullbright Fellowship for Indian citizens was organized by ICAR-CMFRI on 16^th June, 2016 at Kochi. Ms. Lalitha Nageswari and Ms. Suranjana Das from USIEF, Chennai branch explained the various categories of the fellowships, eligibility criteria and the significance of preparing successful applications to the scientists, technical staff and research scholars present. The workshop was chaired by Dr. R.

Narayanakumar, Scientist-in-Charge, PME Cell and co-ordinated by Dr. Grinson

George, Senior Scientist. Workshop in progress

Stakeholders’ Meeting at Mandapam Regional Centre

Stakeholders’ Meeting at Mangalore Research Centre Stakeholders’ Meeting at Karwar Research Centre

Stakeholders' Workshops held

Stakeholders’ workshop at HQ

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takeholder workshops were organised at the Headquarters and various Regional and Research Centres of ICAR-CMFRI to explain relevant research outputs to stakeholders and obtain their feedback and suggestions. At Headquarters in Kochi, it was held on 21^st April 2016. Around 50 stakeholders including Mr. J. D. Dayalan, Deputy Commandant, Coast Guard, Mr. V. Dinakaran, Chairman, Matsyafed, Mr. K. M. Elias, Deputy Director (Fisheries), Mr. S. Ramakrishnan, Secretary, Seafood Exporters Association, Mr. Saji T. Asst. Director of Fisheries,

exporters, representatives of fishermen from all sectors and trade union leaders attended the workshop which was chaired by the Director, Dr. A.

Gopalakrishnan.

The Director emphasized the importance of a sustainable fishery in the state and pointed out that from 2007 onwards state-wise research projects were initiated to focus on the sustainable development of marine fisheries in each state. He further highlighted that the aim of the workshop was to present the salient findings of the project to the stakeholders, interacting with them, incorporating their suggestions and to make necessary alterations if required in the research projects. The recommendations of the last year’s stakeholder meeting were included in the

2015 studies and the report was being presented, he added. Dr. Rekha J.

Nair, Principal Scientist, Demersal Fisheries Division and Dr. N. Aswathy, Senior Scientist, SEETTD made presentations about results emanating from the project on marine fisheries of Kerala. The participants shared their views and provided creative suggestions for timely actions required to be initiated by ICAR-CMFRI / the Department of Fisheries for the welfare of fishermen in Kerala. Dr. P. U. Zacharia, Head, Demersal Fisheries Division proposed the vote of thanks.

At Calicut Research Centre similar meeting was held on 23^rd April 2016 with Mrs. Mariam Haseena, Deputy Director, Dept. of Fisheries as Chief guest.

Fishermen and fish farmers participated.

In the meet convened by the Scientist- in-charge, Madras RC, Chennai on 19^th April, 2016, around 30 fishermen from mechanized and artisanal sectors of the fishing community from Thiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu and from the UT of Puducherry, participated in the discussions Mr. L.A.G. Julius Edward, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Neelankarai was also present. Important aspects discussed included the problems due to the high number of fishing boats operated at present, importance of mesh size regulation, discharge of effluents into the water bodies, installation of more

number of artificial reefs, cage culture, sea ranching and effect of fishing ban. At Mandapam Regional Centre, stakeholder meeting organized on 19^th April 2016 was attended by 25 fishers representing the mechanized and country craft sectors besides the representatives of the groups of cage farming, ornamental fish culture, lobster fattening and blue swimmer crab farming. Organised on 19^th April, 2016 at Mangalore RC, the Meeting was attended by representatives from State Fisheries Department including Dr. C.K.

Murthy, Joint Director (Marine), Mr.

Ganapathi Bhat, Joint Director (Marine

Fishing Harbours), Assistant Directors from all coastal districts of Karnataka, officials of the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) besides the scientific and technical staff of the institute. Fishermen representatives included traditional fishermen leaders, Deep sea fishermen Associations, Purse-seine operators’

Association and Trawl operators’

Association. Mariculture sector was represented by fishermen from Uppunda, involved in finfish mariculture.

At Karwar RC, it was held on 22^nd April, 2016 attended by prospective fish farmers and fishermen union leaders.

Their requirements for widespread awareness programmes, availability of seeds and feed etc. for cage culture as an alternative livelihood and to boost fish production were discussed in detail.

Institute Research Council Meeting held at Headquarters

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^{he 23rd} Institute Research Council (IRC) Meeting was held at the Headquarters from 26^th to 30^th April 2016. On the first day, meetings were conducted at respective Divisions where the status of the research projects were presented and discussed. Dr. K. S.

Mohamed, Member Secretary, IRC,

IRC 2016 in progress

welcomed the gathering of 134 scientists from the various Regional Research Centres of the institute. Dr. A.

Gopalakrishnan, Director and Chairman, IRC then presented the achievements of the Institute during 2015-16 and flagged action points to be taken during 2016- 17 period. During 27 -30^th April, the

Heads of Divisions and Principal Investigators of the various in-house and funded projects made presentations of the project works carried out during the year which was followed by discussions.

68 Action Points to be addressed by concerned scientists were recorded at the end of the 5 day session.

Delegation from Govt. of Maharashtra visits Mangalore Research Centre

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he Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Rural Development, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri.

Deepak Vasanthrao Kesarkarji, and Leena Bansode, CEO, Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission, visited the Mangalore Research Centre of ICAR-CMFRI with a team of experts on 25^th June 2016. The aim of the visit was to discuss the proposed development of resource based microplanning and implementation

programme for Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra. The delegation appreciated the keen involvement of scientists of the institute in mariculture development activities in Sindhudurg and Rathnagiri districts of Maharashtra State. The discussion centered on the viable mariculture technologies developed by ICAR-CMFRI which could be upscaled for the benefit of fishermen of Maharashtra especially from Sindhudurg district.

Revised Mandate of ICAR-CMFRI (with effect from

16.05.2016)

z Monitor and assess the marine fisheries resources of the Indian EEZ including the impact of climate and anthropogenic activity and develop sustainable marine fishery management plans.

z Basic and strategic research in maricultue to enhance production.

z Act as a repository of geospatial information on marine fishery resources and habitats.

z Consultancy services and human resource development through training, education and extension.

SIC of Mangalore Research Centre explaining institute activities to visiting delegates

Research Highlights

Mass production of cross-bred percula clownfish

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irst successful cross breeding between Picasso and Platinum clownfish was achieved at Mandapam Regional Centre in February 2016. The larviculture protocols were standardized to achieve higher fingerlings production by feeding with rotifers, Artemia nauplii and inert diets for larvae. An average of 65%

survival was achieved from larvae to

fingerlings. The growth and band patterns were recorded. Mass production of cross-bred percula clownfish is now achieved continuously.

(Reported by A. K. Abdul Nazar, R. Jayakumar, G. Tamilmani, M. Sakthivel, P. Rameshkumar, Johnson, B., Amir Kumar Samal, K. K. Anikuttan & G. Hanumantha Rao Mandapam Regional Centre)

Spawners of Picasso and Platinum clownfish

Coral bleaching recorded in Palk Bay

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oderate to severe coral bleaching has been witnessed in the Palk Bay coral reefs around Pamban Island during April and May, 2016. Coral reefs under stressful conditions expel their intracellular algae ‘zooxanthellae’ and

look white. Known as coral bleaching, it is one of the visual indicators of thermal stress due to climate change. Although coral reef ecosystem covers 0.25% of the world ocean area, they serve as habitat for 25% of all marine life. Reefs

Juveniles of crossbred Percula clownfish

Steep fall in Oil sardine catches off

Kerala coast Black Ocellaris Clownfish bred

in captivity

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he Black Ocellaris or Darwin False Percula, a magnificent colour morph of Aphriprion ocellaris was bred in captivity at Vizhinjam Research Centre of ICAR- CMFRI. This colour variant having jet black body with white stripes is reportedly found naturally only in a confined geographic area around Darwin, North Australia. In captivity. It started laying a few eggs and in subsequent spawning the number of eggs laid increased to around 100 numbers. Its incubation period is 7-8 days and larvae metamorphose to juveniles in 12-14 days. This is a highly priced clownfish and can be used to crossbreed with A.

ocellaris to produce different colour variants.

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study revealed that the fisheries sector of Kerala suffered a loss of

` 150 crores in 2015 due to sharp fall in the availability of oil sardines. It resulted in 28.2% decrease in employment in the sector and 45.8 % in wage share.

With the per kg prices going up from

` 26 to ` 65, the average price increase for the sardine consumers in the State was 60%. The reasons behind the sharp decline in the sardine catch in recent years were explored. The study shows that after 2012, there has been serious disruption in the timing of breeding time

and strength of environmental events like upwelling in the Arabian Sea. Besides, 2015 was a strong El Nino year with reduced rainfall and increased sea surface temperature. Coupled with high fishing pressure and excessive capture of juveniles during 2010-12, the oil sardine stock in the Arabian Sea off Kerala has been affected. Study also indicated that the chances of a full recovery in the sardine catch in this year is remote.

(Reported by: Dr. V. Kripa, Head, Fishery Environment Management Division & Team)

contribute approximately $29.8 billion to world economies each year, hence mass bleaching event would therefore affect the ecosystem services in the long-term.

In the present studies at Light house reef off Olaikuda fishing village, massive forms

were more affected than the branching forms of coral. This kind of reversal in the susceptibility of corals to bleaching was earlier reported in Malaysian reefs during the 2012 bleaching event. The first widespread mass bleaching occurred during the 1982-83 El Niño, and the second global bleaching event occurred in 2010. The current bleaching event which is third globally is believed to have started in 2014 could extend well into 2017.

(Reported by R. Saravanan, S. Jasmine and K. K. Joshi, Marine Biodiversity Division)

Coral bleaching in Palk Bay

Survey of plastic litter in the sea

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detailed study was conducted along the Gujarat coast to assess the plastic litter in the sea by observing the quantity of plastic materials in the Bag net (Dol) catch. Observations were recorded at main fishing centres of Jaffrabad, Rajpara, Nawabandar and Goghla in Saurashtra during September 2015 to May 2016 period. The fish catch was dominated by fishes such as Harpadon nehereus, Coilia

dussumeria, Trichiurus lepturus, Pampus argenteus etc. and crustaceans such as Nematopalaemon tenuipes, Parapenaeopsis sculptilis, Acetes spp. A maximum litter density of 336.98 g/gear was observed in the Dol net collections at Nawabandar followed by 256.32 g/

gear at Jaffrabad and the least was observed in Rajpara landing center (105.36 g/gear). Among the litter

Carrying Capacity of Padana backwaters for mussel farming estimated

components (UNEP, 2005), group B litter comprising of plastic bags and sachets were dominant followed by group A litter (discarded fish nets and nylon ropes) indicating higher land originated plastic pollution in the oceans.

(K. S. Sukhdhane, K. Mohammed Koya, H. M. Bhint, Rajesh Kumar Pradhan, Vinay Kumar Vase, Gyanranjan Dash, D. Divu, K. R. Sreenath and P. Kaladharan)

in situ grazing experiments carried out at Ori

Koyampuram and Edayilakad in the field in pre-designed perspex tanks provided with inlets and outlet and inbuilt pumps for estimating food demand for mussels (mean in situ POM/mussel/day). Carrying capacity estimates for each area will be provided to the Fisheries Department of Govt. of Kerala before the start of the next farming season.

Plastic litter mixed with fish catch Plastic litter after sorting

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team of staff from ICAR-CMFRI conducted carrying capacity experiments for mussel farming at Padana backwaters during 17 - 20^th May 2016.

Filtration / grazing experiments were conducted at three stations fixed at Ori,

TSP Cage Harvest Mela - 2016 conducted at

Veraval

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^{he 4th} Harvest Festival of the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) cages at Veraval was celebrated as the Samdriya Krishi Sammelan in the sea cage farm site off Prabhas Patan on 22^nd April, 2016.

Dignitaries from Export Inspection Agency (EIA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), ICAR-CIFT and representatives from Nilkamal group (A private company fabricating aquaculture structures) attended the function.The lobster farming has evolved as an alternative livelihood for ‘sidi’ tribes of Gujarat after the demonstration and training programme as well as farming trials carried out under the Tribal sub plan Project of ICAR- CMFRI. The ‘Bharat Adim Juth Matsya Udyog Mandali- Talala’, a ‘Sidi’ tribal

society is the partner for the implementation of the TSP programme since the beginning. In current venture, 11 cages stocked with different size groups of lobsters in integration with the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii were cultured for a period of 3-4 months to attain marketable size and harvested.

Partial harvesting was also done periodically as inherent differential growth is shown by lobsters. Nearly 72% of

lobsters from the total of 859 kg harvested were above 200 g which fetched a market price of ` 1200 per kg.

The below 200 g lobsters fetched a market price of ` 800 per kg. The sales proceeds were shared among the members of the tribal group.

Reported by: D. Divu, Suresh Kumar Mojjada, Gyanranjan Dash, K. R. Sreenath, Vinaya Kumar Vase, Rajesh Kumar Pradhan, K. S. Sukhdhane, M. K. Fofandi and K. Mohammed Koya Beneficiaries from Sidi tribe with harvested lobsters

Fish harvest at Cage farming demonstration in Andhra Pradesh

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isakhapatnam Regional Centre successfully demonstrated the cage farming of seabass and silver pompano in the backwaters of Krishna river at Nagayalanka, Krishna District. It was done in collaboration with Mr. T. Ragu Sekhar, as part of the All India Network Project (AINP) on Mariculture funded by ICAR.

13 cages including 9 wooden cages (square shaped; 4 x 4 x 2 m size) and 2 HDPE cages (circular; 6 m diameter) were installed and stocked with 500 numbers of 6 inch sized sea bass during August to November, 2015 period.

Feeding was done with trash fishes and in 5-8 months sea basses had grown to 0.5 to 1 kg each. The harvest was flagged off on 15^th May 2016 by Hon. Mr. Mandali Buddha Prasad, Deputy Speaker, Govt.

of Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Imelda Joseph, Principal Scientist and HOD i/c, Mariculture Division, Dr. Shubhadeep Ghosh, Scientist in Charge, Visakhapatnam Regional Centre, Dr. T.V.

Ramanna, Dean, Fisheries College and Deputy Directors of State Fisheries Department from Krishna and Guntur districts were also present. The harvest

programme was also attended by the students of M.V.K.R. Fisheries Polytechnic, progressive aqua farmers of Nagayalanka, members of different fishermen societies and public from nearby villages. The 3 tonnes (t) of sea bass harvested was sold in live condition at the rate of ` 340 per kg instead of ` 270 per kg for dead fish, in the local market. In the meeting Mr.

Mandali Buddha Prasad, promised further support for helping the fisherfolk take up

culture of high-valued fish species using the floating cage technology. Dr. Imelda Joseph mentioned that ICAR-CMFRI was also keen on encouraging farmers to reap the benefits of cage culture technology across Andhra Pradesh, a state with huge scope for fish culture.

Reported by: Shubhadeep Ghosh, Sekar Megarajan, Ritesh Ranjan, Biji Xavier, Biswajit Dash and Imelda Joseph

Fish harvest from estuarine cages

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infish culture using customized, indigenous estuarine cages popularised by Mangalore RC has been successful and popular along the coast.

The fishermen have adopted the technology as an alternate livelihood option and are growing finfishes such as Lates calcarifer, Lutjanus argentimaculatus and Caranx sexfasciatus with seeds sourced from hatcheries as well as from the wild. One of the cages (6 x 2 x 2m) in Yedamavinhole estuary, Byndoor harvested on 18 May 2016 yielded 900 kg of seabass and fetched a farm gate price of ` 420 per kg realizing a total amount of ` 3.78 lakhs.

(Reported by: K. M. Rajesh, Sujitha Thomas, A. P. Dineshbabu, Prathibha Rohit and G. D.

Nataraja, Mangalore RC) Harvested seabass from estuarine cages at Byndoor

Cobia harvest at Sippikulam, Thoothukudi

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he harvest programme of sea-net cage farmed cobia at Sippikulam village, Thoothukudi was conducted on 7^th April 2016. The grow-out culture was carried out for a period of 7 months and at the time of harvest the fishes had attained weight of 1.8 to 4.2 kg each.

Approximately 200 kg of cobia was harvested in the first phase and sold at a farm gate price of ` 300 per kg. Dr. P. P.

Manojkumar, Scientist-in-charge, Tuticorin Research Centre welcomed the

gathering. Mr. Issac Jayakumar, Assistant Director of Fisheries (Marine) appraised the fisherfolk about the various state and central government schemes available for sea-cage farming. Dr. C. S. Shine Kumar, Deputy Director, MPEDA explained the prospects of developing a hygienic fish handling centre and facilities for export of live and chilled marine fishes in the village. Rev. Raja Rodrigo from Sippikulam praised the interest of sea-cage farmers and wished many more fisherfolk would

take up the similar farming enterprises.

Mr. R. Rexon, Mr. M. Rayappan and Mr.

S. Mochiya, cobia sea-cage farmers at Sippikulam shared their farming experiences. Leaders of fishermen co- operative society Sippikulam, Sea-cage farmers and other fisher families besides staff of ICAR-CMFRI attended the function.

(Reported by: C. Kalidas, L. Ranjith, P. P. Manojkumar, I. Jagadis & M. Kavitha, Tuticorin RC)

Harvest and handing over of the harvested cobia to the fishermen

Successful harvest of farmed oysters by SHGs

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omen self help groups from Moothakunnam and Puthenvelikkara, Ernakulam District, harvested their farmed stock of edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis during May - June 2016. 15 farms with 250-300 strings each were harvested and the oysters depurated in Moothakunnam VAP unit. They were sold through the outlet of ATIC-CMFRI in Kochi. A total of 23.8 t of oysters of average size of 86.7

± 25.7 mm shell length got a farm gate price of ` 600/kg meat

Oyster shells after depuration being processed at the Moothakunnam VAP unit

Initiation of cobia broodstock development in Model sea cage farm at Sippikulam

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abricated circular galvanized Iron net- cages (5 m dia and 3 m depth with knotted mesh size of inner and outer net 30 mm / 60 mm and fixed with 80 mm bird net) with floating drums and moored in selected sites at Sippikulam were launched for the cobia broodstock

development programme. The sea net cage is maintained by the fisherfolk under the technical guidance of Tuticorin Research Centre of ICAR-CMFRI.

Feeding is done twice daily @ 3-5% total biomass with chopped low-value fishes and trimmed cuttlefish waste. To ensure

sufficient water exchange, the net-cages were changed after regular assessment of fouling on the nets. Monthly sampling for growth measurement and cannulation to identify male and female sexes was done.

Over a period of 6 months the fishes have attained 5 to 8 kg weight each.

ICAR-CMFRI comes in the Registered Scientific Institutions List of CITES

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he Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India (through its letter D.O. No. 4-23/

2015/WL, dated 02 June 2016) has communicated that ICAR-CMFRI has been accorded Registration Number (IN 034) in the scientific institutions list of Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) under the Article VII, paragraph 6 of the Convention read with Resolution Conf.

11.15 (rev. CoP12). This permits exemption from provisions for non- commercial loan, donation or exchange between scientists or scientific institutions registered by notified authority to further

research interests. With this, ICAR- CMFRI enters into the exclusive club of institutions, which can acquire, exchange, store, preserve specimens, both live and otherwise, for museum purposes or to conduct taxonomic and species conservation research.

Sea water incursion in Chennai affects fishermen households

S

trong southwesterly winds with speed of 45-55 km/h and high waves of about 10-12 feet severely hit nearly 60 fishermen households off Pattinapakkam, Chennai during the second week of June, 2016 and caused damage to property, fishing crafts and gears. Fishing and marketing came to a complete halt for almost 20 days which severely impacted their livelihoods.

Similar sea incursion was also reported from many coastal pockets of Tamil Nadu triggered by rough sea conditions. The economic loss due to sea inundation at Pattinapakkam caused by lost fishing days, damage to property, crafts, gears and household appliances was estimated

` 44.14 lakhs. The study revealed a lack of preparedness on the part of fishermen to cope with natural disasters. Therefore, considerable awareness needs to be generated among the community to

persuade them to relocate to safer areas free from threats due to sea level changes and inundation.

Reported by : R.Geetha, Indira Divipala, Shoba Joe Kizhakudan and J M Shanti Sea water incursion in Pattinapakkam fishermen hamlet

World Environment Day and World Oceans Day celebrated

W

orld Environment Day and World Ocean Day was celebrated on 8^th June 2016 by the Mangalore Research Centre. A campaign that emphasized the conservation of oceans and marine resources by ‘minimizing littering of the oceans’ was organised in the Mangalore Fisheries Harbour. Active fishers and

Awareness campaign on Oceans Day at the Mangalore Fisheries Harbour school children from neighbouring

schools joined the staff in the celebration.

The programme highlighting the theme ‘Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet’ was followed by the release of a poster ‘Namma nadi, nadimukha mathu sagaravannu swacha golisuva jagruthi abhiyana’ (Awareness on cleaning

our rivers, estuaries and oceans) designed by the staff of ICAR-CMFRI. This was followed by a skit enacted by the staff of the Research Centre.

An awareness programme to commemorate the World Oceans Day was arranged at Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI on 8^th June, 2016. Dr. A. K. Abdul Nazar, Scientist in charge; delivered a talk on the history of the celebration of World Oceans Day to students from Panchayat Union Primary School, Maraikayarpattinam who also participated actively in the colouring competition held. Event was organized by Dr. R. Saravanan, Scientist, Marine Biodiversity division.

Hindi Workshops

S

poken Hindi workshop was conducted for the officers and staff members at Headquarters on 14^th June, 2016. Smt.

Latha K. V., Sr. Hindi Translator, Income Tax Office, Kochi led the class. A similar workshop was also conducted at Mandapam Regional Centre on 29^th June 2016 where 21 staff members participated. At Vizhinjam a Hindi workshop was conducted on 25 June 2016. Mr. Somasekharan Nair, Senior Hindi Officer, BSNL imparted training on vocabulary practice and drafting in day to day discharge of official duties. One day Hindi workshop was conducted on 27^th May, 2016 for the Staff of Tuticorin RC of ICAR-CMFRI. Mrs. Shyamalatha, Hindi Translator, Heavy Water Plant,

Thoothukudi guided the programme. Workshop at Vizhinjam Research Centre

Official Language inspection

M

r. Manoj Kumar, Assistant Chief Technical Officer, ICAR, New Delhi inspected the Official Language implementation activities and verified the Hindi work done at ICAR- CMFRI Headquarters on 6^th April, 2016.

OLIC Meeting

T

he quarterly meeting of Official Language Implementation Committee of the Institute was held on 11^th April, 2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. A.

Gopalakrishnan, Director. Official Language activities for the quarter January-March, 2016 were reviewed and decisions were taken for further improvement.

Official Language Implementation

Town Official Language Implementation Committee Awards for ICAR-CMFRI

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he Rajbhasha Rolling Trophy (2^nd Position) of Kochi Town Official Language Implementation Committee for the best implementation of Official Language during 2014-15 was won by ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi. CMFRI Newsletter – Cadalmin also bagged Rolling Trophy (IV Position) for the Best Hindi House Magazine (2014-15). Award was distributed in the meeting held on 12^th May, 2016 at Income Tax Office, Kochi in the presence of Mr. P. R. Ravikumar, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Kochi, Prof. Dr. R. Sasidharan, Former Head, Department of Hindi, CUSAT and Shri P. Vijayakumar, Deputy Director, Regional Implementation Office, Kochi.

K

arwar RC of CMFRI won the best institute award for implementation of official language among the central government offices located in Karwar. The award consisting of rolling trophy and certificate was received by Dr. S. R. Krupesha Sharma, Principal Scientist from Mr. Tekchand, Dy. Director (implementation), OL department, Bengaluru on 30^th June 2016 during the 43^rd half-yearly meeting of the TOLIC, Karwar.

Shri V. Mohanan, Administrative Officer receiving the Rolling Trophy

Dr. Krupesha Sharma receiving the award

Kumaravel and Smt. Gopilakshmi. At Madras Research Centre, volunteers from Isha Life, conducted the ISHA ‘UPA YOGA’ practices in which 35 staff members participated. At Tuticorin Research Centre Yoga master Mr. A.

Pugal Kannan and his assistant Mr. Iyappan from Art of Living, Thoothukudi Branch guided the participants in various yoga postures.

At Calicut Research Centre yoga demonstration was conducted by a qualified yoga teacher Mr. Shiju, for the benefit of all the staff members. At Karwar RC. Mr. Ashok Badkar, community resource person, Dept. of Education and Yoga Instructor, delivered a talk on different yoga asanas and its benefits followed by a guided yoga session.

Celebrations at the Mangalore centre was led by Mr. Mohan Kumblekar, Yoga instructor from Vivekananda Trust, Kanyakumari.

Mumbai Research Centre organised celebrations of International Yoga Day jointly with ICAR-CIFE. Veraval Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI displayed a film developed by Ministry of AYUSH viz., Common Yoga Protocols (in Hindi) on 19^th June 2016, followed by demonstration on the common yoga protocols under the guidance of yoga trainer Mr. Abhay Thakar. The Vizhinjam Research centre observed the day with great fervour graced by the presence of Mr. Surya Guruji and Master Nikhil of the renowned Siva Surya Divine school of Yoga, Thiruvananthapuram.

International Yoga Day

International Yoga Day celebrated

T

he International Day of Yoga was celebrated in ICAR-CMFRI on 21^st June, 2016. Smt. Smitha K., Personal Assistant, ICAR-CMFRI was nominated as the Nodal Officer for the programmes organized at Headquarters. Mr. Saji Yousaf Nissan and Shri K. Vijayakumar, from the Art of Living Foundation, Bengaluru led the yoga sessions at Headquarters.

At Mandapam Regional Centre a lecture followed by demonstration of yoga was conducted by members of the Art of Living Foundation. Mr. Sankara Pandian, Mr. Bose, Mr. Durairaj, Mr.

Staff participation in Headquarters

At Vizhinjam Research Centre

At Mangalore Research Centre

At Mandapam Regional Centre

At Tuticorin Research Centre Talk on yoga at Headquarters

At Mumbai Research Centre

At Chennai Research Centre Talk on Upa Yoga

Swachh Bharat

At Calicut Research Centre activities were held from 17^th May, 2016 to 31^st May, 2016 under the leadership of Dr. P.

K. Asokan, SIC with active participation of all the staff. A quiz programme on 24^th May, 2016 and planting of trees exercise on 30^th May, 2016 was also taken up. An invited talk on ‘Ecosystem services of wetlands of North Kerala’ by Dr. Dinesan Cheruvat, Joint Director of Fisheries, Kerala State Fisheries Department, Kozhikode on 31^st May, 2016 was also

arranged. At Veraval Regional Centre all the office staff participated in cleaning activities in and around the office premises upto Bhidia Junction, Veraval fishing harbour and surroundings from16^th May, 2016 to 30^th May, 2016.

An intensive Cleanliness Drive was conducted at the Madras Research Centre during 18^th May, 2016 to 4^th June, 2016. The oath was administered by Dr.

Margaret Muthu Rathinam, Principal Scientist on 18^th May, 2016. Throughout

the period, emphasis was laid on keeping the office premises and adjacent surroundings of Kovalam Field Laboratory and the Field Centres at Cuddalore and Ongole neat and clean. A clean-up campaign was held at Kovalam Field centre on 28^th May, 2016 where all staff of the centre participated. Mumbai Research Centre organised activities during 31^st May - 4^th June, 2016 where scientists and staff cleaned office premises, quarters etc.

I

n compliance with Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Mission, the Swachh Bharat Pakhwada was observed at Headquarters during 18^th May, 2016 to 4^th June, 2016 by organizing various activities. Besides conducting several cleaning campaigns at various locations in the city, a painting competition for children titled ‘Swatchatha-Ek Darpan’

with theme‘ Clean India’ was conducted.

Participants included 29 children in the age groups of 5-10, 11-15 and 16-20.

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Former DG,ICAR and Dr. C. Ravishankar, Director ICAR-CIFT and Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI gave away the certificates and prizes to the winners and participants.

Before.... After....

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Former DG, ICAR with winner participants

S

wachh Bharath Abhiyan which also envisages disposal of wastes to clean our premises was put into practice.

KVK Ernakulam has initiated composting of marine fish waste into organic manure branded as Fishlizer. The marine fish cutting wastes from the Ernakulam Fish market otherwise dumped into public water bodies, road sides etc. creating hazards to public is regularly collected and composted. So far 1.5 MT waste has been processed and 900 kg of Fishlizer produced from this waste was sold through the institute's sales counter of ATIC-KVK. In order to meet the increasing demand of Fishlizer from different parts of the state, a satellite production centre has been set up at Mulavukadu during 2016 with a production of 600 kg per month. Fishlizer helps save water by its water retainer property when used in potting mixture, besides providing balanced macro and micro nutrients to the crop thereby creating higher quality yield and growth of crop. It supports beneficial microbes in the root zone that enhances yield by 40-50% in certain crops.

Exhibitions

M

umbai RC of ICAR-CMFRI

participated in the Exhibition organized on the occassion of International Biodiversity Day Celebrations on 22^nd May 2016. With the theme, ‘Mainstreaming biodiversity for sustainable livelihoods’ it was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, through the National Biodiversity Authority in partnership with United Nations. Support was given by the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board. Mr.

Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Mr. Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Dr. B. Meenakumari, Chairperson National Biodiversity Authority visited ICAR- CMFRI exhibition stall at

Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai. Shri. Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change visiting ICAR-CMFRI Exhibition

Visitors

D

r. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and Director-General, ICAR visited the institutes’s Mumbai Research Centre on 7^th May 2016 and appreciated the research being carried out at the centre. SIC, Mumbai RC and staff also attended interactive meet with the DG held on 6^th May, 2016 at ICAR-CIFE campus, Versova.

D

r. B. Meenakumari, Chairperson National Biodiversity Authority visited Mumbai RC on 20^th May, 2016.

D

r. Rita Pandey, Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi visited Mumbai RC on 5^th May, 2016.

Director General, ICAR at Mumbai Research Centre

Training Programmes

A

3 day training programme sponsored by the the Coastal Development Authority (CDA), Govt. of Karnataka was conducted for two baches of fishermen selected by CDA during 5^th to 7^th and 9^th to 11^th May 2016. The valedictory ceremony for both the baches was held on 9^th May, 2016. Mr. Nivedith Alva, Chairman, CDA who was the chief guest gave away certificates to all the trainees.

Dr. V. N. Naik, Secretary, District Science Centre gave felicitations.

Training on cage culture

V

isitors to Vizhinjam Research Centre included Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair on 5^th April, 2016;

Dr. S. K. Chakrabarti, Director, ICAR- CPRI, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on 6^th

April, 2016; Dr. Som Dutt, Editor, DKMA, New Delhi on 3^rd May, 2016 and Mr. Hareesh Nair, Under- Secretary, ICAR, New Delhi on 23-05-2016

KVK (Ernakulam) News

P

rof. K. V. Thomas MP inaugurated the district level awareness programme on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the new crop insurance scheme of the Union Government. It was conducted by the KVK Ernakulam at Kottuvaly on 28^th June 2016. Smt. K. K.

Shantha, President of Kottuvally Grama Panchayath presided. Dr. A.

Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR- CMFRI, Dr. Shinoj Subramannian, Senior Scientist, KVK, Mr. Pushparaj Anjelo and

District level

awareness programme on new crop

insurance scheme

ward members participated in the programme. The scheme to be implemented from the ensuing Kharif 2016 season has the lowest farmer's share of premium till date. The capping on insurance coverage for the crops has

K

VK organized a 2 day training on

‘Organic Vegetable Cultivation in Rainshelters’ at ICAR-CMFRI on 25^th and 26^th May, 2016 which was attended by 49 participants. Rainy season is not ideal for vegetable farming due to high incidence of pest and diseases resulting in stunted growth and low yields. Therefore growing vegetables in Rainshelters is one of the solutions.

These prevent rain from falling on plants while ensuring enough sunlight through its UV stabilized roof. The training in rainshelter construction and organic vegetable farming protocols, was given by experts faculty from KVK and Kerala Agricultural University.

Training on ‘Organic Vegetable Cultivation in Rainshelters’

been scrapped. For the first time, inundation has also been included in the list of localized perils. In another first, post- harvest losses due to cyclone and unseasonal rains have also been included as applicable to the entire country.

Inauguration of the Awareness Programme

KVK releases layer poultry feed for safe egg production

A

s part of its ‘Self farming for Safe Food’programme, a safe and nutritionally balanced layer poultry feed in 10 kg packets was released by Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director, on May 30^th, 2016. This feed was formulated using the feed formulation software of ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Bareilly, UP. Free from antibiotics and other performance enhancers and it be purchased from the ICAR-CMFRI-KVK sales counter at Kochi.

I

n order to promote group approach to resolve the issues such as fluctuation in prices, storage and marketing of the agricultural produce, the ICAR-KVK Ernakulam is in the process of forming farmer producer companies with the financial assistance of National Bank for

KVK to form two Farmer Producer Companies

Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). As part of this, KVK has formed several self help groups and farmers' clubs.

Also two farmer producer companies, on Nutmeg and on Pokkali are on the anvil.

NABARD recognised KVK Ernakulam as Producer Organization Promoting

Institution (POPI). The meeting was held at ICAR-CMFRI on 2^nd May 2016, attended by fifty progressive Pokkali farmers from Ernakulam district. Forty progressive nutmeg farmers from Kothamangalam Block attended the meeting held on 8^th June 2016.

„ Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, attended the Indo-Norwegian Joint Working Group Meeting held at New Delhi on 8^th April 2016.

Attended the meeting of Directors of ICAR Institutes/ In-charges of Regional Research Centres/AICRPs of ICAR in Kerala under the chairmanship of Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, conducted at Munnar on 16^th April 2016.

Attended the meetings of the committee constituted to suggest Draft National Policy on Marine Fisheries under the chairmanship of Dr. S. Ayyappan, Former Director General, ICAR held at New Delhi on 4^th May 2016 and during 1^st to 3^rd June 2016.

Attended the Interactive meeting of the Directors of all Fisheries Research Institutes at SMD on 9^th June and Interface Meeting between DADF and ICAR held on 10^th June 2016 at New Delhi.

Attended the meeting with Chairman of the Committee constituted to Suggest Draft National Policy on Marine Fisheries on 14^th June 2016 at New Delhi.

„ Dr. K. S. Mohamed, Head, MFD attended a meeting of all the Coastal States Regional Presidents of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) on 22^nd April, 2016 at Willingdon Island, Kochi

Attended meetings regarding National Policy on Marine Fisheries on 4^th May, 1^st June and 9^th-10^th June, 2016 at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.

Attended 1^st International Training Workshop on ‘Taxonomy of Bivalve Molluscs’ during 10^th-14^th May 2016 organized by Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi.

Attended the consultative meeting on

‘Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’

(BBNJ) held on 22^nd June, 2016 at CMLRE, Kochi.

Attended the GIZ-BOBP National

Programme participations

Workshop on ‘Dissemination of Study Results of Valuation Studies on Coastal and Marine Ecosystem’ under the TEEB India Initiative held on 27^th June, 2016 at office of BOBP-IGO, Chennai.

Attended a meeting to discuss various issues related to the project of Commercial Pearl Production in Andaman & Nicobar Islands held on 29^th June, 2016 in the Office of Secretary, (Fisheries), Port Blair.

„ Dr. V. Kripa, Head, FEMD attended the RAC Meeting of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad on 12^th May, 2016 Attended the RAC Meeting of CMLRE on 31^st June, 2016.

„ Dr. R. Narayanakumar, Head, SEETTD attended the Project Screening Committee (PSC) Meeting of the ICAR Extramural Projects Presentation held at Agricultural Extension Division, ICAR, New Delhi on 20^th May, 2016.

Attended the Preparatory Meeting for the Meeting of Secretary, DADF, Secretary, DARE & DG (ICAR) and Directors of Research Institute under Animal Sciences and Fisheries Division convened by DDG (Fisheries), ICAR, New Delhi on 9^th June, 2016.

„ Dr. R. Narayanakumar and Dr.

M. Sivadas (Principal Scientsts) participated in the GIZ-BOBP National Workshop on Dissemination of Study Results of Valuation Studies on Coastal and Marine Ecosystems under the TEEB India Initiative at Chennai, 27^th-28^th, June 2016.

„ Dr. K. K. Joshi, Head, MBD attended the Kerala State Biodiversity Board Expert Committee Meeting held on 3^rd June at Thiruvananthapuram.

„ Dr. P. U. Zacharia, Head, DFD attended the meetings regarding National Marine Fisheries Policy 2016 during 9^th- 10^th June, 2016 at ICAR, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.

„ Dr. K. Vijayakumaran, Principal Scientist conducted an Interactive Co- Learning Workshop for 24 participants on Philosophy, Methods and Ethics in Science at the ICAR - Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneshwar from 26^th-28^th May 2016.

„ Dr. Joe K. Kizhakudan, Principal Scientist delivered a training lecture on Cage farming in marine eco-systems at the Fisheries Staff Training Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University on 13^th May 2016.

Participated the 48^th Institute Management Council meeting of ICAR- CIBA at Chennai on 18^th June, 2016.

Attended a workshop on Intensive Pond Aquaculture Technology (IPAT) conducted by the USSTEC at Vishakapatnam on 17^th May 2016.

„ Dr. Veerendra Veer Singh, SIC, Mumbai RC CMFRI attended 31^st Meeting of National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) held on 24^th May, 2016 at Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, New Delhi.

„ Dr. Anulekshmi Chellappan, Scientist attended ICAR- Review Meeting on 4^th July, 2016 regarding performance of ICAR Research Institutes and the SAUs located in Maharashtra at ICAR-CIFE chaired by Hon. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Mr.

Radha Mohan Singh, in the presence of Shri Vijay Deshmukh, State Minister for Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra and Mr.

Ram Shinde, State Minister of Agriculture and Horticulture, Govt. of Maharashtra.

„ Dr. A. K. Abdul Nazar, SIC, Mandapam Regional Centre participated the Outreach Project Meeting held at NFDB, Hyderabad on 12^th April 2016.

„ Dr. A. K. Abdul Nazar, Principal Scientist and Dr. R. Jayakumar, Senior Scientist participated in the 'Consultative Meeting on implementation

of NFDB sponsored mariculture development project through State Fisheries Department' organised by NFDB at Kochi on 20^th May 2016.

„ Dr. Shubhadeep Ghosh, Senior Scientist attended a one day meeting on 'Tuna and tuna-like fishes of the Indian Ocean' held by BOBP at Chennai on 16^th April 2016.

Attended the first meeting of the Project Co-ordination Committee of the World Bank-GEF Project on 'Ocean Partnerships for Sustainable Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation - Models for Innovation and Reform' at Chennai on 2^nd June 2016.

Attended a Regional Workshop on 'Fisheries Management in the context of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks' at Chennai on 4^th June 2016.

„ Dr. Shyam S. Salim, Princiapl Scientist attended the seventh meeting of Project Appraisal and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) on Ocean Science and Resources on 2^nd-3^rd May, 2016 at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad.

Participated in the Shared Learning Dialogue (SLD) workshop for the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) programme held on 17^th June, 2016 at Abad Plaza, Kochi.

„ Dr. R. Jeyabaskaran, S e n i o r scientist, participated in the National Launch Workshop of Dugong Project held at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on 16^th May, 2016.

„ Dr. B. Johnson, Scientist participated the 'Partners Meet' at Ramanathapuram organized by Reliance Foundation on 15^th June 2016.

Participated and delivered a lecture on 'Alternate Livelihood Options for community development in marine fishing villages' in one day entrepreneurship awareness camp organized at Ramanathapuram by Madurai District Tiny & Small Scale Industries Association on 28^th June 2016.

„ Dr. K. Vinod attended a meeting of the Ad-hoc Animal Committee of MoEF

& CC to discuss alteration of Schedules of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 held at Paryavaran Bhavan, Ministry of

Laurels for Cycling Event

M

r. K. G. Jayaprasad has received international recognition in cycling event by qualifying for the coveted Super Randonneurs title to be held in Paris in 2019. The title is given to riders who complete 1,500 km in a year, in four rides- 200, 300, 400 and 600 kms- within a stipulated time frame. Prasad recently completed the 600 km Kochi-Payyannur- Kochi route riding for 36 hours-two nights and a day-to qualify for the 10000 km Super Randonneurs. In 2016, Jayaprasad participated in the Brevet conducted by Audax Club Parisien (France), International Cycling Club through Cochin Bikers Club and completed 400 km ride from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram in 23 hours, 300 km from Kochi to Kollam in 15 hours and 200

Mr. Jayaprasad receiving trophy from Mr. V.D.Satheesan, MLA.

km from Kochi to Adimali in 10 hours.

He received the medals on 17^th July 2016.

Mr. Prasad, who by choice cycles to the

office daily has earlier won the cycling championships at the Annual ICAR Sports Meet at zonal and inter-zonal levels.

Environment, Forests and Climate Change, New Delhi on 5^th May, 2016.

„ Dr. S. R. Krupesha Sharma, Principal Scientist and Mr. N. G.

Vaidya, Technical Officer participated in the 42^nd half-yearly meeting of the TOLIC, Karwar on 30^th June, 2016.

„ Dr. Shinoj Parappurathu, scientist and Dr. V. P. Vipin Kumar, Principal scientist organized Farmers' Interaction Meet for clam processors at Pookaitha, Alappuzha on 21^st June, 2016 under Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav Scheme.

„ Dr. V. P. Vipinkumar, Principal Scientist, conducted an interactive meet with officials of Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF) on 27^th May, 2016 and AMMA seafood kitchen SHG members in Poyya on 14^th June, 2016.

„ Mr. Sajeev C. K. (ACTO)., Dr.

Nilesh A. Pawar (STO) and Mr.

Janardan D. Sarang (TO) attended 3^rd Congress of Pillay Aquaculture Foundation (PAF), ‘Social Entrepreneurship in Aquaculture’, held during 27^th to 29^th April 2016 at ICAR- CIFE, Mumbai.

22

Human Resources Development

Personnel

Workshop/Training/Conference etc. Date and Venue Participants Ocean Partnership Programme-Resource Organised by BoBP-IGO at

Mapping of Institutional Resources for ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi on 22.4.16 Dr. R. Narayanakumar, Dr. Prathibha Rohit

sustainable development of tuna like Dr. E. M. Abdussamad, Dr. U.Ganga

resources (Principal Scientists), Dr. K. G. Mini (Senior scientist)

Ocean Partnership Programme-Stakeholders' Organised by BoBP-IGO at Mr. Subal Kumar Roul (scientist) Participation Meeting ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi on 23.4.16

National natural resources 02.05.16 to 24.06.2016 Dr. P. Laxmilatha (Principal Scientist) management system Indian Institute of Resute Sensing Ms. E. M. Chhandaprajnadarsini (Scientist)

(IIRS), Dehradun

Exploring Gene expression data using 18.04.16 to 20.04.16 Dr. Sandhya Sukumaran (Senior Scientist) transcriptone and Microarray's KINFRA Campus, Kazhakuttom

Training Program on 'Impact Assessment 6-10 June 2016, National Dr. B. Johnson (Scientist) of Agricultural Extension' Academy of Agricultural Research

Management, Hyderabad

Fishery Improvement Project workshop for organized on 28 - 29 June 2016 Dr. Prathibha Rohit (Principal Scientist) the Lakshadweep Pole and Line tuna fishery by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mr. K. Mohammed koya (Scientist)

at Kavaratti

Big data analytics in agriculture 13-22 June 2016 Dr. J. Jayasankar (Principal Scientist) NAARM, Hyderabad

'ArcGIS Arc view 10 - A GIS Primer, 21-25 June 2016 Dr. R. Jayakumar, Senior Scientist;

DGPS with Leica GPS 1200 + GNSS' Indian Geoinformatics Centre, Dr. K. K. Anikuttan, Dr. Sekar Megarajan (Scientists);

Chennai Mr. G. Hanumantha Rao (Senior Technical Assistant)

Management Development 23-27 May 2016 Mr. Chandramauli Sharma

Programme - Establishment Rules Institute of Secretariat Training & Mr. Ashish Chobey (AAO) Management (ISTM), New Delhi

Formulation of Budget 23-24 May 2016 Mr. Santhosh Kumar (Assistant)

ISTM, New Delhi Mr. P. Krishnakumaran (AFAO)

Ph.D. AWARDED

Ph.D. was awarded to R. Saravanan, Scientist, Mandapam Regional Centre for his thesis entitled "Studies on Sea urchin biology and its resources from the Gulf of Mannar" by the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (TNFU) on 6^th May, 2016.

APPOINTMENTS

Name Designation Centre w.e.f

Mrs. Livi Wilson Scientist ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi 07.04.2016

Mr. Kurva Raghu Ramudu Scientist ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi 11.04.2016

Ms. Saima Rehman Scientist ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi 11.04.2016

Mr. Adnan Hussain Gora Scientist ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi 11.04.2016

Mr. Abdul Azeez P. Scientist ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi 11.04.2016

Mr. Ambarish P. Gop Scientist ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi 11.04.2016