Latest news with #CMFRI
United News of India
3 days ago
- Science
- United News of India
2.5 million tonnes of fish production targeted from mariculture by 2047
Kochi, May 30 (UNI) The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) envisions increased productivity with a target of 2.5 million tonnes of fish production from mariculture by 2047 against the current estimate of a meagre 1.5 lakh tonnes. Aiming to popularise cage farming and seaweed cultivation technologies, Institute Director Dr Grinson George has said effective adoption of innovative technologies will help to achieve this target. The Institute would also focus on boosting start-up enterprises in the sector by offering guidance and technical support, he said. Scientists from the Institute will visit villages to demonstrate and explain advanced practices such as cage fish farming, marine ornamental fish farming, mussel farming, oyster farming, seaweed cultivation, innovative fish breeding technologies, and scientific coastal aquaculture, he added. The community will be given awareness of a range of technologies and the prospects of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), he explained. He said the ongoing 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign is a significant effort to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for the grassroots. The campaign is being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with state governments. Around 2000 teams comprising scientists and experts from 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), along with field officers from state-level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, as well as innovative farmers, will be part of this campaign, which is aimed at reaching around 1.5 crore farmers in the country. In Kerala, CMFRI's outreach teams, comprising 36 scientists, will visit all districts, collaborating closely with the respective KVKs. Similarly, all the Centres of the Institute located in various coastal states will take part in the campaign in respective regions. 'A landmark initiative in connecting scientists and farmers, this direct engagement will greatly help fishery scientists tailor their research work and development efforts to fulfil the community's demands more effectively," George said. Beyond technology awareness, the CMFRI teams will also collect crucial feedback, remarks, and responses from the farming and fishing communities to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by farmers. The scientists will listen to the issues of the stakeholders and foster a strong connection with them. UNI DS ARN
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
CMFRI study to assess environmental impact of shipwreck off Kochi coast
Kochi: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a study to assess the changes in the marine environment following the shipwreck of the vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kochi. CMFRI, which is based on Kochi, is the country's premier institute for research in marine fisheries. The study is currently being conducted by four-member teams in the coastal areas of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts. CMFRI officials said that their teams are collecting water, phytoplankton, and sediment samples from 10 stations in these districts at regular intervals for the investigation. They are examining water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen content, pH, and nutrients. The presence of oil and grease in the water and soil is also being studied to detect any potential oil spill. Benthic organisms in the coastal soil are also being collected and tested. Although an on-board survey was initiated, sampling from in and around the accident site was not possible due to adverse weather conditions. This will be undertaken once the conditions improve in the coming days. Ongoing adverse weather has also prevented the testing of fish samples, as fishing activities are currently not possible. Benthic organisms in the sea will also be collected using grabs for analysis. CMFRI director Grinson George said that the study aims to understand various types of marine pollution associated with the shipwreck. They will formulate guidelines for future management measures based on the output of the study, which will be provided to relevant agencies, he added. He mentioned that the monsoon period is a critical breeding time for pelagic fishes, and it could have lasting consequences depending on the amount of leakage that occurred from the cargo. CMFRI officials said that marine species are sensitive to oil smothering as the oil can block the breathing of fishes when it gets attached to the gills. "The bigger species will move away while several others can go deeper. But the surface-level species will be impacted."
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
CMFRI launches study to assess marine impact of MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck
KOCHI: The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a study to assess the impact of the shipwreck on the marine environment. The ship, MSC Elsa 3, which carried hazardous cargo, sank around 38 nautical miles off Kochi on May teams of scientists from the CMFRI have been deployed in the districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram as part of the study. The teams are collecting water, phytoplankton and sediment samples from 10 stations in each district at regular intervals for the investigation. Water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen content, pH, nutrients, etc., are being studied. The presence of oil and grease in the water and soil is also being monitored to detect any potential oil spill. Benthic organisms in the coastal soil are also being collected and tested. Although an on-board survey was initiated, sampling from in and around the accident site was not possible due to adverse weather conditions. This will be undertaken once the conditions improve in the coming days. Ongoing adverse weather has also prevented testing of fish samples, as fishing activities are currently not possible. Benthic organisms in the sea will also be collected using grabs for analysis. 'The study aims to understand various types of marine pollution associated with the shipwreck. Guidelines for future management measures will be decided based on the findings and will be provided to relevant agencies,' said director Grinson George.
Hans India
4 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Kerala declares Liberian ship capsize as a state-specific disaster, CMFRI begins study
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Thursday declared the wreckage of the Liberian ship M/s ELSA 3 in the Arabian Sea 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast as a state-specific disaster. A statement issued from the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the ship, M/s MSC ELSA-3, carrying more than 643 containers, was reported to have capsized on May 25 off the Kerala Coast near Thottappalli in Alappuzha District. "The maritime incident has raised serious environmental concerns, including the potential for an oil spill and drifting of debris, including cargo, along Kerala's coastline. Considering the potentially serious environmental, social, and economic impact of the ship wreckage, the Government hereby declare the wreckage of the ship M/s ELSA 3 in the Arabian Sea 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast as a State-Specific disaster," said the statement. This fresh development comes at a time when the Kerala government is seriously contemplating legal proceedings against the ship's owners after fishermen's associations have demanded appropriate compensation, fearing that the chemicals could cause long-term damage to marine life and jeopardise their livelihoods. The Vijayan government is awaiting a response from legal experts dealing with marine topics to go forward with legal steps. On Thursday, the containers that had been cleared from near the coast of Kollam and were being readied for transportation caught fire. But the fire was quickly doused. The vessel, which had reported listing approximately 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast, ultimately sank into the Arabian Sea on Sunday morning. In a related development, the ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Thursday launched a study to assess the changes in the marine environment following the shipwreck. The study is currently being conducted by four different teams on the coastal areas of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The teams are collecting water, phytoplankton and sediment samples from 10 stations in these districts at regular intervals for the investigation. According to CMFRI Director Grinson George, the study aims to understand various types of marine pollution associated with the shipwreck.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
CMFRI puts pedal on 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' programme
Kochi: The scientists of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have embarked on a two-week-long outreach programme to directly engage with fish farmers and fishermen across the country as part of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' programme of the Central government. 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is a nationwide campaign by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with state governments. Around 2,000 teams, comprising scientists and experts from 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) along with field officers from state- level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, as well as innovative farmers, will be part of this campaign, which is aimed to reach around 1.5 crore farmers in the country. CMFRI will leverage this campaign to popularise its cutting-edge technologies with an aim to enhance India's mariculture production through wider adoption. CMFRI scientists will now visit villages, demonstrating and explaining advanced practices such as cage fish farming, marine ornamental fish farming, mussel farming, oyster farming, seaweed cultivation, innovative fish breeding technologies, and scientific coastal aquaculture. CMFRI Director Grinson George said the community will be given awareness on a range of technologies and the prospects of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). "CMFRI envisions increased productivity with a target of 2.5 million tonnes of fish production from mariculture by 2047 against the current estimate of a meagre 1.5 lakh tonnes. To a great extent, effective adoption of innovative technologies will help to achieve this target. We would also focus on boosting start-up enterprises in the sector by offering guidance and technical support," said George. In Kerala, CMFRI's outreach teams, comprising 36 scientists, will visit all districts, collaborating closely with the respective KVKs. Similarly, all the Centres of the Institute located in various coastal states will take part in the campaign in their respective regions. "A landmark initiative in connecting scientists and farmers, this direct engagement will greatly help fishery scientists tailor their research work and development efforts to fulfil the community's demands more effectively," said George. Beyond technology awareness, the CMFRI teams will also collect crucial feedback, remarks, and responses from the farming and fishing communities to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by farmers. "The scientists will listen to the issues of the stakeholders and foster a strong connection with them. 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is a significant effort to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for the grassroots, added George.
