National Scientific Hindi Webinar at ICAR- CMFRI
A National Scientific Hindi Webinar on the topic “Importance of Marine Census in Fisher Development” was organised at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi on 13 th August 2025.
Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad, IAS, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), Department of Fisheries,Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, inaugurated the webinar through online. The Joint Secretary stated that CMFRI plays a significant role in the Marine Fisheries Census. Under this census, updated and detailed data related to fishing families, boats, fishing gear, marine biodiversity, and coastal economic activities will be collected. This information will serve as a foundation for future fisheries policies, resource management, disaster preparedness, and marine conservation.
Guest of Honor, Dr. Ajay Srivastava, Economic Adviser, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, said that timely availability of census data is essential for the effective implementation of policies.
On this occasion, Dr. Mohammed Koya, Fisheries Development Commissioner, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, remarked that accurate and timely availability of Marine Fisheries census data is crucial for the successful implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
In his presidential address, Dr. Grinson George, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, informed that adopting new technologies, the institute has developed a mobile and tablet-based app called VyAS-NAV, which will help reduce manual errors and make data quickly and accurately available for policy-making.
Dr. J. Jayasankar, Principal Scientist and Head, FRAEED, made a PPT presentation on the marine fisheries census. Dr. Miriam Paul Sriram, Principal Scientist, MBEMD, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Shyam S. Salim, Principal Scientist, FRAEED, was also present at the programme. Shri P. Muralidharan, Senior Administrative Officer and Officer-in-Charge (Rajbhasha), proposed the vote of thanks.
Dr. Loveson Edward L., Senior Scientist, Tuticorin Station of ICAR- CMFRI secured first prize for best presentation. Dr. Lakshmi Pillai, Principal Scientist, ICAR- CMFRI & Lowrane Stanley, Field Investigator, ICAR- CMFRI secured second prize. Dr. Somy Kuriakose, Principal Scientist, ICAR- CMFRI secured third prize.
