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Geospatial Excellence Award 2023

Geospatial Excellence Award 2023

Prestigious Geospatial Excellence Award-2023 has been conferred to ICAR-CMFRI, in an international conference and a geospatial industry expo “GeoSmart India-2023” held at HICC, Hyderabad from 17-19 October 2023, jointly organised by Geospatial world and Survey of India, Dept. of Science and Technology, GoI in recognition of outstanding contributions to Geospatial modelling application in mariculture site selection and sea space governance for the development of mariculture parks on 19-10-2023. The award was received by Dr.Suresh Kumar Mojjada, Mariculture, Veraval Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI who presented on the title “Developing novel geospatial decision-making model and tool for the ocean-based site suitability mapping for mariculture sector development and decision-support framework for establishing mariculture parks for fostering sustainable blue economy under the thrust area of blue-growth strategy of India”

Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing visits ICAR-CMFRI

Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing visits ICAR-CMFRI

A delegation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing visited the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi on 28^th June 2023. Headed by PC Gaddigoudar, Loksabha Member from Bagalkot constituency in Karnataka, the panel visited various research facilities at the institute, including laboratories and interacted with scientists to assess CMFRI’s research programmes on marine fisheries and allied areas. The committee consisted of six Members of Parliament and other officials, including Uttam Chand Bharadwaj, Secretary to the delegation. Dr Shubhadeep Ghosh, Assistant Director General (Marine Fisheries) of ICAR was also present on the occasion.The committee was briefed on ICAR-CMFRI's works encompassing marine capture fisheries; mariculture activities like cage fish farming, seaweed farming, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and technology development for breeding commercially important marine fishes; marine biodiversity and environment management; fish genetics and marine biotechnology; socio-economic aspects and extension activities, etc.

Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of ICAR-CMFRI and the Heads of various Divisions discussed the Institute's plans for the future, emphasising its efforts to maintain the sustainability of the marine fisheries with the committee members. The panel was impressed with ICAR-CMFRI's research and its contributions to the development of the marine fisheries sector in India. They said that the institute is playing a vital role in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable fisheries.Besides the Committee Chairman, the panel comprised MPs Dr Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde, Masthan Rao Beeda, Ram Nath Thakur, Devendra Singh and Ramilaben Becharbhai Bara.

ICAR-CMFRI develops nutraceutical to boost immunity related to post-COVID complications

ICAR-CMFRI develops nutraceutical to boost immunity related to post-COVID complications

Kochi: In continuation of its major research works on developing natural remedies from marine organisms against various lifestyle diseases, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has come up with a nutraceutical product from select seaweeds to boost the innate immunity related to post-COVID complications. Named as CadalminTM Immunalgin extract (CadalminTM IMe), the product also has antiviral properties against the delta variant of SARS CoV-2 virus.“The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceutical product, which is a 100% natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology”, said Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Head of the Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the CMFRI who led the research works to develop the product.This marks the 10th product in a series of nutraceuticals developed by the CMFRI deriving from marine organisms. The institute, in the past, has successfully brought out nutraceuticals targeting a range of lifestyle diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, arthritis, cholesterol, hypertension, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis and fatty liver.Bioactive pharmacophore leads from seaweeds were used to develop the nutraceutical product. A promising reduction of viral infection rate was observed by administering CadalminTM IMe on SARS CoV-2 (delta variant) induced cells. CadalminTM IMe elevates innate immune responses by the regulation of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.The CadalminTM IMe interacts with membrane-associated pattern recognition receptors to prevent the virus entry through cellular signaling pathways and also stimulate inflammatory cytokine production. Hence, it will act as a good naturally derived alternative source for health benefits against inflammation and autoimmune disorders, he said.The nutraceutical does not have any side effects as established by detailed preclinical trials. It does not have toxicity concerning clinical and behavioural symptoms. The active ingredients in the product would be packed in plant-based capsules. Large-scale extraction of the active principles from the raw material was optimized in a factory unit, which demonstrated the commercial feasibility of the nutraceutical product. The process for commercialisation of the product is in progress.

Delegation from Michigan State University, USA visits ICAR-CMFRI

Delegation from Michigan State University, USA visits ICAR-CMFRI

As part of a student exposure-cum-training programme jointly organised by the University and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi and the Michigan State University in the United States, a delegation of students and faculty from the MSU’s James Madison College visited the ICAR-CMFRI and Kerala during the period of 11-26 July 2023. The team was impressed with a diverse range of entrepreneurial ventures in the fisheries sector spearheaded by various women groups in villages.Led by Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs Professor Linda Racioppi and Prof. Sejuti Dasgupta, 10 students pursuing Comparative Culture and Politics interacted with ICAR-CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan and Heads of various Divisions to learn about the research activities of the Institute. They were introduced to the research and fisheries extension activities of ICAR-CMFRI. The team also explored various aspects of fisheries, including marine capture fisheries, cage fish farming, Chinese fishing nets and fish markets, and collected insights on livelihoods in the sector. This was the third such programme hosted by the ICAR-CMFRI on the basis of an MoU between the two institutes.