Potential of cold-water fisheries, aquaculture discussed
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, May 20 2024:
Fisheries officials, aquaculture experts, and scholars representing state and Central government institutions attended a brainstorming session at the Directorate of Fisheries, on Monday, to discuss feasibility of developing cold-water fisheries and aquaculture in Manipur, particularly in the hill districts.
The meeting was organised by the Directorate in collaboration with ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR), Bhimtal, Uttarakhand.
Fisheries director H Balkrisna, while welcoming the initiative of ICAR-DC-FR, Bhimtal for the development of cold-water fisheries and aquaculture in Manipur, appreciated DCFR director Dr Pramod Kumar Pandey for visiting the state and inspiring the stakeholders to develop a roadmap for aquaculture and conservation strategies for the management of fish biodiversity and ecosystems.
He noted that in view of the anthropogenic activities, it becomes imperative to hold discussion, debate, and formulate a proper plan for the management and development of the state's fisheries resources while expressing optimism on prospect of developing cold-water fisheries in the state in view of the available potential and logistic and technical support, hand-holding of officials, being provided by the DFCR, Bhimtal, and Manipur University.
Participating in the brainstorming session, Dr Pramod Kumar Pandey advised the hill district fishery officers to collect accurate data on rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and water bodies having perennial water sources for exploration of the feasibility of cold water fisheries and aquaculture.
He also urged them to bring out protocols or strategies, develop eco-tourism, fish sanctuaries, and ornamental fisheries for indigenous fish species, and create awareness regarding the ban on illegal fishing practices.
The director also stressed the need for establishment of fish feed technology based on available local feed ingredients along with assuring hand-holding support to the officials of the directorate of fisheries, and other logistic and technical assistance through the department of Zoology, Manipur University, where one breeding unit of cold water fish species would be set up under the sponsorship of the DCFR, Bhimtal, in the near future.
He also advised the fisheries director to submit a proposal for setting up a Fish Pathology Laboratory in Manipur under the PMMSY scheme through the Ministry and proposed holding a state level workshop for stakeholders in Imphal sometime in December this year after all the inputs and real-time data collection are done.
Speaking at the session, subject expert Dr Rameshori Yumnam, assistant professor at the department of Zoology.
MU, dwelt on robust data collection and conservation activities by imposing a ban on non-conventional fishing practices and developing fish sanctuaries in appropriate hotspots with the direct participation of the local populace.
Chandel district fishery officer, Sapam Jiten highlighted the scope and potential of cold water fisheries in Manipur through a PowerPoint presentation.
Senior Officials of the directorate of fisheries, and district fishery officers also took part in the discussion and contributed their knowledge and field experiences.
Coldwater fisheries have gained economic significance in India in recent years.
It occupies a prominent place among freshwater fishes.
It is generally conducted in water that remain in the temperature range from 5 to 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
By introducing this cultural practice in Manipur, it will not only bring economic gains to the poor villagers of hill districts but also supplement fish production.
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