ICAR-CMFRI Young
Professional Alvin Anto wins prestigious Hasmukh Shah Memorial Award
The research on coral reefs being carried out by
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has garnered national
recognition, with Alvin Anto, a Young Professional at the institute securing
the prestigious Hasmukh Shah Memorial Award for Ecological Studies for the year
2023, in the research category. The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh
and a certificate of recognition. Mr. Anto has been recognised for his
extensive research on the resilience of the coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Islands,
highlighting the increasing threats these critical ecosystems face from climate
change and other human-induced factors.The Hasmukh Shah Memorial Award,
instituted by the Gujarat Ecology Society (GES) and funded by the Kachnar
Trust, aims to honour and reward individuals who have made significant
contributions through research, development, or implementation of innovative
environmental, technical, or social solutions that address and mitigate
pressing sustainability or societal issues. This award is particularly
significant as it will help promote the resilience based management approaches
which are vital for coral reefs. These approaches aim to develop strategies for
the preservation, protection, and restoration of these fragile marine habitats.

Passionate Ocean
enthusiast
A passionate ocean enthusiast and a PADI
(Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified Dive Master, Mr Anto
has led several underwater surveys concentrating on the coral reefs and
associated marine life along the Indian coast and its islands. His work has
been instrumental in providing valuable insights and data that are critical for
ongoing conservation efforts. He is also part of CMFRI’s team conducting coastal
survey on marine mammals. The award will be conferred during the Hasmukh Shah
Memorial Lecture, scheduled for the 5th January 2024, at the Federation of
Gujarat Industries (FGI) in Vadodara.

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 28th 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
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.
