Q1: In your experience what is your perceptions of Indian Shrimp Industry?
A- In my experience, the Indian shrimp industry is an emerging player in global shrimp farming industry. In my 2 previous visits to India I’ve seen serious consideration given in regard to the industries approach to disease management issues and the sustainable growth of the industry. This is evidenced by the government’s role (by various agencies) in establishing a quarantine station in Chennai to screen/verify the specific pathogen free (SPF) health status of incoming live shrimp stocks from abroad, and by the strict certification standards required to be an approved supplier (and importer) of SPF L. vannamei into India. It is my understanding that there is also a rigorous monitoring and record-keeping program in regard to the importation of SPF L. vannamei as well as the monitoring of hatchery and grow out production parameters for this species. I’ve been impressed by the level of biosecurity maintained in the RGCA quarantine station, and by the operations of some of the hatchery facilities I’ve visited. Although India may currently be a bit “behind the curve” globally in developing a sustainable shrimp farming industry based on the SPF concept for shrimp, I see great potential given the thoughtful approach now being taken by India in this regard.
Q2: In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Aquaculture needs to correct to catapult itself into a global player?
A-In my opinion, the top three challenges that the aquaculture industry faces globally are:
1) Health management and disease control of the stocks being farmed. The SPF concept for aquaculture (which has already been established/successful for other terrestrial meat-producing industries) goes a long way in this regard, but there are still significant issues in regard to environmental control and hatchery/pond management strategies which support consistent/sustainable production. Domestication and stock control are the key points here. The implementation of best management practices and novel production/growout technologies will also help to overcome this challenge.
2) Production costs and market volatility. Increasing costs for fuel and quality feed ingredients (like fishmeal) combined with political/economic issues (like protectionism/anti-dumping) are serious challenges for the future of the aquaculture industry. Also, production inefficiencies affecting the entire global industry contribute to this challenge. Production inefficiencies may be minimized/addressed by the following challenge.
3) Consolidation and vertical integration of the industry. In order to be a “global player” in food production, the aquaculture industry will require a serious domestication effort for all relevant species. This may only be achieved by significant consolidation and vertical integration of the industry which would afford control over the entire production chain. This model would support consistent/sustainable production and would help with issues of traceability and seafood safety. This model also provides some stability in regard to price fluctuations influenced by issues of supply/demand. To a large extent, the current industry is disjointed in regard to feed production, hatchery production, growout production, and processing. Mature and successful food-producing industries (like poultry) have consolidated are all vertically integrated. The aquaculture/seafood industry can learn from this model.
Q3: What are the experiences of being in the Industry?
A-Being in the industry for over 20 years, I’ve had numerous experiences in several countries which are all different depending on the social, cultural and environmental factors affecting aquaculture in different regions. A common theme that I’ve experienced is the dedication of the farmer to produce a quality crop and the challenges they face in regard to environmental and disease factors. Over the past 7-10 years I’ve seen a significant effort by the entire global industry to mature and refine aquaculture practices based on scientific knowledge. The application of science-based knowledge and principles to the commercial sector has led to a very significant increase in shrimp aquaculture production world-wide, despite serious disease problems which have historically plagued the industry. There have also been significant scientific/applied advances made in terms of minimizing the “environmental footprint” left by aquaculture activities. Closed-recirculating and minimal water exchange systems are now common components of shrimp aquaculture operations world-wide. Aquaculture-based food production is a very dynamic and evolving industry and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
EVENT ALERT
-International trade fair for shipbuilding and marine technology from 7 to 9 April 2011 at Bombay exhibition centre Mumbai , India
http://bit.ly/if1dSX
-ILDEX India 2011 from 15 to 17, September 2011 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/hK26wt
-8th Symposium on diseases in Asian aquaculture from 21 to 25 November 2011, at Mangalore, India
http://bit.ly/i757zT
-9th Indian Fisheries Forum from 19 to 23 December 2011 at Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/ia1Tpk
http://bit.ly/if1dSX
-ILDEX India 2011 from 15 to 17, September 2011 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/hK26wt
-8th Symposium on diseases in Asian aquaculture from 21 to 25 November 2011, at Mangalore, India
http://bit.ly/i757zT
-9th Indian Fisheries Forum from 19 to 23 December 2011 at Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/ia1Tpk
Civic negligence dries up lake!
A huge waterbody in ward No. 24 has been reduced to a drain at a time when conservation of waterbodies is in focus.
Water in the lake at the BDA City Centre, jointly owned by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and a private company, has shrunk alarmingly with its dyke giving way under the pressure of torrential rains nearly three years ago. Ever since, no efforts have taken place to restore the old glory of the lake.
The lake was a much sought after venue for paddle boating. “It was a huge waterbody when I was a student at the nearby Regional Institute of Education (RIE) in 1992,” said Bijay Mishra, a research scholar.
Water in the lake at the BDA City Centre, jointly owned by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and a private company, has shrunk alarmingly with its dyke giving way under the pressure of torrential rains nearly three years ago. Ever since, no efforts have taken place to restore the old glory of the lake.
The lake was a much sought after venue for paddle boating. “It was a huge waterbody when I was a student at the nearby Regional Institute of Education (RIE) in 1992,” said Bijay Mishra, a research scholar.
US cuts dumping duty on Shrimp 40%
Anti-dumping duty on shrimp exports to the US reduced by 40% with the US department of commerce (USDOC) reducing the effective duty for India to 1.6% from the earlier 2.67%. This relief comes after the seafood sector suffered successive setbacks last year when the US agency increased the anti-dumping duty by a whopping 300% and decided on extending the anti-dumping duty for another five years.
Shrimp exports to the US, which are currently looking up after staying depressed for five years, are expected to increase substantially.
India and several countries including Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil came under the scanner of the USDOC in 2004 after organisations in US alleged that lower-priced, pond-raised shrimps were hurting the US industry.
Shrimp exports to the US, which are currently looking up after staying depressed for five years, are expected to increase substantially.
India and several countries including Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil came under the scanner of the USDOC in 2004 after organisations in US alleged that lower-priced, pond-raised shrimps were hurting the US industry.
Hunt for minute species destroys marine life
Selective fishing using kaccha valai (a special net to catch minute sea species) is on the rise in the stretch between Palaverkadu and Alampara fort near Chennai since the annual seasonal movement of rare sea species close to the shore last month. At least 25 boats venture into sea every day from various villages to catch rare sea snails, shells and crustaceans, and each returns with at least 50 kg of sea species every day. "The catch is loaded into private vans immediately and then transported to the nearby processing units. We get the money for our work a week later," says Sahayavelu, a fisherman in Vyalikuppam. About 90 % of these species are exported to countries like China, Singapore and Malaysia.
India Loosing out to Inland Aquaculture!
Marine fisheries in India has steadily been losing out to inland aquaculture, in terms of fish production, but its relevance for exports has not diminished. Given that marine exports have not done too well in recent years, reports of marine export trade registering a record $2-billion mark in the first nine months of this year is significant.
During this period, seafood exports have seen a 6.6 per cent growth in terms of quantity and nearly 19 per cent growth in value, that too in the face of an appreciating Rupee. The marine export business seems upbeatand justifiably so and hopes to touch the $2.5 billion mark by year-end. However, this laudable performance is not yet being driven by improved supply side response. Rather, it is the sharp rise in global demand, especially in major overseas markets like the US, European Union and Japan that is pushing prices and profitability up. On the domestic front, the main trigger for this growth came from the recently introduced Vannamei shrimp aquaculture as this variety of shrimp has a high demand in the global market.
During this period, seafood exports have seen a 6.6 per cent growth in terms of quantity and nearly 19 per cent growth in value, that too in the face of an appreciating Rupee. The marine export business seems upbeatand justifiably so and hopes to touch the $2.5 billion mark by year-end. However, this laudable performance is not yet being driven by improved supply side response. Rather, it is the sharp rise in global demand, especially in major overseas markets like the US, European Union and Japan that is pushing prices and profitability up. On the domestic front, the main trigger for this growth came from the recently introduced Vannamei shrimp aquaculture as this variety of shrimp has a high demand in the global market.
Fish production shows increased growth!
India’s fish production stood at 57.03 lakh tonnes in the first nine months of the current fiscal.
During the 2009-10 fiscal, the country produced 78.53 lakh tonnes of fish, according to government data.
West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are the major fish producing states in the country.
During the 2009-10 fiscal, West Bengal produced 15.05 lt, Andhra Pradesh 12.93 lt, Gujarat 7.71 lt, Kerala 6.63 lt, Maharashtra 5.38 lt and Tamil Nadu 5.34 lt, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Arun Yadav, said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
During the 2009-10 fiscal, the country produced 78.53 lakh tonnes of fish, according to government data.
West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are the major fish producing states in the country.
During the 2009-10 fiscal, West Bengal produced 15.05 lt, Andhra Pradesh 12.93 lt, Gujarat 7.71 lt, Kerala 6.63 lt, Maharashtra 5.38 lt and Tamil Nadu 5.34 lt, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Arun Yadav, said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Sea cage culture building hopes for Fishermen
New technical innovations are required to save the fishermen from poverty, as they seem to have a sombre future with the rapid extinction of marine resources, said the deputy commissioner B N Krishnaiah here on Monday.
He was speaking after inaugurating a 10-day national level workshop and training programme on 'sea cage culture of fish', jointly organized by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the National Fisheries Development Broad (NFDB). He is expecting that sea cage culture might present a new perception in the field of fisheries development.
He was speaking after inaugurating a 10-day national level workshop and training programme on 'sea cage culture of fish', jointly organized by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the National Fisheries Development Broad (NFDB). He is expecting that sea cage culture might present a new perception in the field of fisheries development.
The Buzz (News in a Nutshell)
Weeds, waste choke lake to death In a marine worm's eyes, the theory of evolution Marine Products exports cross two billion mark in 9 months Fishermen throw stones at private jetty Budget Allocation: Good news for PSUs Fish oil helps cancer patients preserve muscles Seafood exports to reach $2.3 bn Ten new fish markets to come up soon MoEF now sets eye on marine biodiversity weeds destroys lake fishes to attract more investors
Interview with Dr Abdul Manan Mat Jais, Haruan Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Q1: In your experience what is your perceptions of Indian Marine Industry?
A-First of all, I am not trained in Fisheries and Marine Sciences, but neurophysiology. I am just involves in environmental issues upon becoming member in 1990, and later appointed as one of Board Members to Society of Environmental Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry (SETAC) Asia Pacific since 1996. It take turn to chair SETAC Asia Pacific, now is Hong Kong, while the SETAC World is in US. My focus into fisheries and aquaculture had started since 1985, when began to carry out drug discovery based on local ethno-pharmacology Haruan Channa striatus, a tropical carnivorous air breathing freshwater indigenous species for wound healing. Since than I had realized our aquaculture industry is not systematic based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Good Aquaculture Procedures (GAP) to go global. Therefore, my view here is based on personal experiences and limited reading
As a great country India with second largest human numbers 1,193,163,000 as 2011 estimation, providing huge domestic market, but feeding such a number is a greatest challenge. Nonetheless, with land mass 3,287,263 km or 1,269,219 sq mi, India is having every opportunity converting those into food production industry. Smart planning as not to over excited with money making privately developed resorts or schemes that is now mushrooming, taking up thousands of acres as personal or family ownership or by company. These resorts establishing is creating landlord ship among few rich, but a kind of slavery to poor with minimal to bring home and India still contains the largest concentration of poor in the world
This seven-largest country by geographical area is surrounded by Arabian Sea on west, Indian Ocean in south and Bay of Bengal on east giving a total of 7,517 kilometers or 4,700 miles coastal line. The India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) stretching 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) into the Indian Ocean is a smart calculative move encompassing 2 million square kilometers is providing protective enough fishing ground, a blessing to fully developed marine industry, and with your large labour force, there should not be any excuses to extend and improve your fishery. Although India is fast growing in IT, manufacturing sector, automobile and biotechnology, but balance in food production especially fishery must be parallel, as part of food security. For that I will be focusing here on fisheries and marine organisms, but not others such as shipping, tourisms, oil and gas
Indian’s staple food is rice, especially in the south and the east, but wheat is predominantly in the north, and many are vegetarians. However, man needs protein, either from plant, and aquatic organisms are good option, especially when land animals are having risks of diseases such as smallpox, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or Mad-Cow Diseases (MCD), Japanese encephalitis (JE) and swine flu (H1N1). Nonetheless, most of the 40 % of all the identified fish species, about 8,400 are inhibiting freshwater ecosystem, but freshwater is now imperiled and at least one-fifth of all the freshwater fishes are already extinct or seriously endangered. Similarly, degradation of biodiversity in marine ecosystem is very alarming, and already by 1995, 70 % of the world’s marine fish stocks are either fully exploited or over-fished and depleted. No one pretty sure how much left and what technology can do to improvised the situation, and therefore India got to selvage whatever left, before they are gone forever. A joint relevant state and national government agencies corporation is necessary, plus full support of individuals as well as private sector in putting India self sufficient, or at least not totally desperately depending on imports
It is now, approximately 85 % of the world supplies of fish are from aquaculture, including marine, brackish and freshwater species. Still, fishery is an important sector providing jobs to millions, and contributing food to the people of India. The sector is just 1.07 % of the national GDP, 5.30 % to agriculture and related industries was valued at Rs 31,682.50 crores during 2001 - 2007, the Tenth Five Year Plan, which considered small. Accordingly, Marine Fisheries is involving nothing more than 1.5 millions of work forces, although total fishermen family are more than 3.5 millions in 3,305 fishing village along the coastal lines, considered long by any standard. Captured fishing is using mechanized and motorized vessels capitalizing about 1,332 landing centers, with 3.15 million tonnes marine fish products in 2007. The question here, is it enough, or perhaps may be Indians are not fish eating as much as others in Asians namely Japanese and even Malaysians. However your national Marine Fishing Policy, 2004, the establishment of EEZ together with the Draft Marine Fishing Regulation and Management Bill, 2009 should address all problems and making the industry sustainable. May be efforts and initiatives to improving, making Marine Fisheries more lucrative especially among young educated individuals, as well as becoming high impact projects are to be planned. Model of world best should be incorporated, and I will be very happy to be part of the program
Lastly, global warming should not be ignored for it may cause human health problems due to microbes, bacteria, and toxic algae blooms contaminating seafood. Dust from Moroccan desert for example can spark rapid growth of Vibrio, a genus of ocean bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections as well as infectious diseases such as cholera. As to India, stress sewer systems in mega cities namely Mumbai, Calcutta, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai not just tainting drinking water, but eventually contaminating sea. Although, more deaths and illnesses recently are due to natural disasters, heat waves, extreme cold temperature, tropical diseases such as malaria and mosquito borne diseases such as dengue, but do not ignore man-made disasters especially solid-liquid-gas toxic from urban and industrial waste
Q2:In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Aquaculture needs to correct to catapulate itself into a global player?
A-Again, this is a big question, and one needs some research on aquaculture industry in India in particular, and world over to really give specific suggestion. Nonetheless, here, I am giving you an overview based on personal experiences:
1.KNOWLEDGE: it is the key issue in many third and developing countries aquaculture as well as agriculture, in comparison to those developed nations. Many of us ignorant on legislation, regulatory and working ethics to make our product accepted by global consumers. Farmers in developed nation, had not achieved and established to what they are now without going through years of researches, not necessarily done by them, in every aspect of the industry. But in our case, we take things for granted, where our workers and those involves in the industry are not really by choice, but either by accident or worse of all on desperation for job. They either poor or asked to participate on political or government initiative. Their heart and soul is not really there. Furthermore, from time to time, each-an-every one of them is to be exposed to national and global progress. It is almost impossible to bring each one of them to attending exposition even internally, but to bring national and international expert(s) to them will be more practical. This expert, not just coming to visit to comment, to lecture and be gone, but actually spending quality time in situ to make them feel attached, gain confident and respect, looking into their problems. The expert might not be able to solve every single problem or not at all, but commitment must be there. Or else do not waste your time and money on the so call expert or consultant. With knowledge, people are getting confident, self-esteem and strong in many things. Therefore initial workshop must be there as part of the SOP, and scheduled at least half a year, but preferably quarterly, as a continuous learning. It is a part of human capital development
2.HUMAN FACTORS: mentality and attitude is important for each and every person to involve in anything, not just aquaculture. One need to be passionate with what one does. With enough knowledge acquired as personal investment, not necessarily formal education obtained from university or college, one will become dedicated to start with, believing and creating self confident. One needs to be given assurance on sense of belonging, ownership, and more importantly clear future that improving their standard of living. Need to picture to them path of life ahead. Psychology got to be right, to make them strong where everyone should realize, risk is always there, patients and passionate in a team work will keep them intact throughout. I have good experienced working not just with young farmers, but drug addicts rebuilding their self-confident, mentality, attitude and not giving hope. Knowing them, not just an individual, history and family background bring one closer, helps to indicate we care, and Indian are having such a good family relation. Good to dream the sweetness of success, but at the same time, failure is there to push one desire to higher level. Motivation should always be there
3.ENTERPRENEURSHIP: this is equally important for the person who is involve must himself or herself having a drive to succeed especially in the world of no-money-no-talk. Obviously majority of these people in aquaculture, are having minimal education, relatively poor and they need to be explained and guided toward step-by-step globalization. Personality got to be built, and make each of them feeling there is or there are changes, and they are now a different person. A simple cap or uniform, make them feel the different in quality of lives. Next obviously come investment or initiative from either government or donors or private company to be channeled directly to these newly transformed individuals. But, based on personal experienced in my country, never to give money or kinds or subsidize directly to individual(s), they will spend it or sell it, for they are poor and priority is food or clothing or shelter. Make it as monthly income or salary. There must be a scheme, as to bind them, but not to make them feel rigid. Money always the key. Good management, networking and establishing rapport with locals make lives easier. Consistent and constant monitoring is vital, for element of cheating always there, and working in a group produce better results
The THREE factors above has been incorporated in commercialization of my R & D a drug discovery on Haruan Channa striatus, and now the whole things is pursued as pharmaceutical production in an agro-industry setting. In my helps to local authority transforming negative attitude individuals to positive motivated persons give me satisfaction
Q3:What are the experiences of Being in the Industry?
A-As an academia, I the privilege travel extensively within Malaysia, and to many different continents of the world. My many experiences gave me the true meaning of lives, and respecting every one of those as God willing. Give and take, and vice versa make one a better approachable person. As a neurophysiologist, I am trained to believes and understand every cell is different, and every single nerve activity is different. So we are in the ocean of different individuals, and should be ready to face the world of differences. I had also inculcated into my personality the value of respecting others to make them feel part of the establishment or organization or group, pretentiously accepting idea(s) as not to humiliate anyone in public, but firmed when come to principle as to stamp your authority. One is need to be standing tall, not to be taken for granted. With such working barrier, you are always above them at all times, for once you lose this, it will be very difficult to regain. Keep a distant, for you are a friendly boss not a friend. You are a leader, not a follower, and you are a force to be reckoned, referral point, may be depending on situation is a shoulder to cry-on and always responsive to their need
I remember, it was happening long time ago during our farewell party to our chairman. One of a guard in his uniform was queuing to get his food (sate, a barbeque meats popular in Malaysia), and as a low rank officer, no one given him attention, but the waiter immediately serving me upon seeing me there. Instead of getting just for me I got more, and turned to him to placed some of the sate on his (the guard) plate. He was stunted and staring into my eyes without a word. I realized he was crying in disbelieved. From there on, he was one of my best in every aspect of security
Come back to marine fisheries or in any industry, no one is borne an expert. One must be ready to learn and adjusting oneself accordingly. I was once invited ( in 2005) to be a member team to develop a fishing hobour in one of the fishing state in Malaysia. The question was why me? The answer was they wanting people who can work, and people who are dynamic, progressive in thinking and willing to take risk. Obviously, the top management had heard of me, my working ability, and more importantly a personality that can go down to where the problem(s) is or are. Within week, from zero, I was able to put forward on the table, a very constructive planning not even the so called experts ever thinking along that lines. I am not a super human, just that knowledge is everywhere, and excess to internet is heaven. One could always excess to worldwide examples and models. The key words here are commitment, dedication and sincerity. Nothing is impossible, and God is always there to show you the way
Obviously my research in drug discovery on Haruan, now in commercialization stage with few product entering clinical trials, had really pushing me all the way to become an entrepreneur. I am more than happy to help and involves in any project India to develop helping poor to improve standard of living. With 27 years experiences as academia, panel for research grant and scholarships, and since 2003 one of the panel in health sciences with Malaysia Qualification Agency to foresee the improvement, progress, and quality of higher education in Malaysia made me an open minded, flexible and accommodative. Ready and happy to go into industry
A-First of all, I am not trained in Fisheries and Marine Sciences, but neurophysiology. I am just involves in environmental issues upon becoming member in 1990, and later appointed as one of Board Members to Society of Environmental Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry (SETAC) Asia Pacific since 1996. It take turn to chair SETAC Asia Pacific, now is Hong Kong, while the SETAC World is in US. My focus into fisheries and aquaculture had started since 1985, when began to carry out drug discovery based on local ethno-pharmacology Haruan Channa striatus, a tropical carnivorous air breathing freshwater indigenous species for wound healing. Since than I had realized our aquaculture industry is not systematic based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Good Aquaculture Procedures (GAP) to go global. Therefore, my view here is based on personal experiences and limited reading
As a great country India with second largest human numbers 1,193,163,000 as 2011 estimation, providing huge domestic market, but feeding such a number is a greatest challenge. Nonetheless, with land mass 3,287,263 km or 1,269,219 sq mi, India is having every opportunity converting those into food production industry. Smart planning as not to over excited with money making privately developed resorts or schemes that is now mushrooming, taking up thousands of acres as personal or family ownership or by company. These resorts establishing is creating landlord ship among few rich, but a kind of slavery to poor with minimal to bring home and India still contains the largest concentration of poor in the world
This seven-largest country by geographical area is surrounded by Arabian Sea on west, Indian Ocean in south and Bay of Bengal on east giving a total of 7,517 kilometers or 4,700 miles coastal line. The India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) stretching 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) into the Indian Ocean is a smart calculative move encompassing 2 million square kilometers is providing protective enough fishing ground, a blessing to fully developed marine industry, and with your large labour force, there should not be any excuses to extend and improve your fishery. Although India is fast growing in IT, manufacturing sector, automobile and biotechnology, but balance in food production especially fishery must be parallel, as part of food security. For that I will be focusing here on fisheries and marine organisms, but not others such as shipping, tourisms, oil and gas
Indian’s staple food is rice, especially in the south and the east, but wheat is predominantly in the north, and many are vegetarians. However, man needs protein, either from plant, and aquatic organisms are good option, especially when land animals are having risks of diseases such as smallpox, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or Mad-Cow Diseases (MCD), Japanese encephalitis (JE) and swine flu (H1N1). Nonetheless, most of the 40 % of all the identified fish species, about 8,400 are inhibiting freshwater ecosystem, but freshwater is now imperiled and at least one-fifth of all the freshwater fishes are already extinct or seriously endangered. Similarly, degradation of biodiversity in marine ecosystem is very alarming, and already by 1995, 70 % of the world’s marine fish stocks are either fully exploited or over-fished and depleted. No one pretty sure how much left and what technology can do to improvised the situation, and therefore India got to selvage whatever left, before they are gone forever. A joint relevant state and national government agencies corporation is necessary, plus full support of individuals as well as private sector in putting India self sufficient, or at least not totally desperately depending on imports
It is now, approximately 85 % of the world supplies of fish are from aquaculture, including marine, brackish and freshwater species. Still, fishery is an important sector providing jobs to millions, and contributing food to the people of India. The sector is just 1.07 % of the national GDP, 5.30 % to agriculture and related industries was valued at Rs 31,682.50 crores during 2001 - 2007, the Tenth Five Year Plan, which considered small. Accordingly, Marine Fisheries is involving nothing more than 1.5 millions of work forces, although total fishermen family are more than 3.5 millions in 3,305 fishing village along the coastal lines, considered long by any standard. Captured fishing is using mechanized and motorized vessels capitalizing about 1,332 landing centers, with 3.15 million tonnes marine fish products in 2007. The question here, is it enough, or perhaps may be Indians are not fish eating as much as others in Asians namely Japanese and even Malaysians. However your national Marine Fishing Policy, 2004, the establishment of EEZ together with the Draft Marine Fishing Regulation and Management Bill, 2009 should address all problems and making the industry sustainable. May be efforts and initiatives to improving, making Marine Fisheries more lucrative especially among young educated individuals, as well as becoming high impact projects are to be planned. Model of world best should be incorporated, and I will be very happy to be part of the program
Lastly, global warming should not be ignored for it may cause human health problems due to microbes, bacteria, and toxic algae blooms contaminating seafood. Dust from Moroccan desert for example can spark rapid growth of Vibrio, a genus of ocean bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections as well as infectious diseases such as cholera. As to India, stress sewer systems in mega cities namely Mumbai, Calcutta, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai not just tainting drinking water, but eventually contaminating sea. Although, more deaths and illnesses recently are due to natural disasters, heat waves, extreme cold temperature, tropical diseases such as malaria and mosquito borne diseases such as dengue, but do not ignore man-made disasters especially solid-liquid-gas toxic from urban and industrial waste
Q2:In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Aquaculture needs to correct to catapulate itself into a global player?
A-Again, this is a big question, and one needs some research on aquaculture industry in India in particular, and world over to really give specific suggestion. Nonetheless, here, I am giving you an overview based on personal experiences:
1.KNOWLEDGE: it is the key issue in many third and developing countries aquaculture as well as agriculture, in comparison to those developed nations. Many of us ignorant on legislation, regulatory and working ethics to make our product accepted by global consumers. Farmers in developed nation, had not achieved and established to what they are now without going through years of researches, not necessarily done by them, in every aspect of the industry. But in our case, we take things for granted, where our workers and those involves in the industry are not really by choice, but either by accident or worse of all on desperation for job. They either poor or asked to participate on political or government initiative. Their heart and soul is not really there. Furthermore, from time to time, each-an-every one of them is to be exposed to national and global progress. It is almost impossible to bring each one of them to attending exposition even internally, but to bring national and international expert(s) to them will be more practical. This expert, not just coming to visit to comment, to lecture and be gone, but actually spending quality time in situ to make them feel attached, gain confident and respect, looking into their problems. The expert might not be able to solve every single problem or not at all, but commitment must be there. Or else do not waste your time and money on the so call expert or consultant. With knowledge, people are getting confident, self-esteem and strong in many things. Therefore initial workshop must be there as part of the SOP, and scheduled at least half a year, but preferably quarterly, as a continuous learning. It is a part of human capital development
2.HUMAN FACTORS: mentality and attitude is important for each and every person to involve in anything, not just aquaculture. One need to be passionate with what one does. With enough knowledge acquired as personal investment, not necessarily formal education obtained from university or college, one will become dedicated to start with, believing and creating self confident. One needs to be given assurance on sense of belonging, ownership, and more importantly clear future that improving their standard of living. Need to picture to them path of life ahead. Psychology got to be right, to make them strong where everyone should realize, risk is always there, patients and passionate in a team work will keep them intact throughout. I have good experienced working not just with young farmers, but drug addicts rebuilding their self-confident, mentality, attitude and not giving hope. Knowing them, not just an individual, history and family background bring one closer, helps to indicate we care, and Indian are having such a good family relation. Good to dream the sweetness of success, but at the same time, failure is there to push one desire to higher level. Motivation should always be there
3.ENTERPRENEURSHIP: this is equally important for the person who is involve must himself or herself having a drive to succeed especially in the world of no-money-no-talk. Obviously majority of these people in aquaculture, are having minimal education, relatively poor and they need to be explained and guided toward step-by-step globalization. Personality got to be built, and make each of them feeling there is or there are changes, and they are now a different person. A simple cap or uniform, make them feel the different in quality of lives. Next obviously come investment or initiative from either government or donors or private company to be channeled directly to these newly transformed individuals. But, based on personal experienced in my country, never to give money or kinds or subsidize directly to individual(s), they will spend it or sell it, for they are poor and priority is food or clothing or shelter. Make it as monthly income or salary. There must be a scheme, as to bind them, but not to make them feel rigid. Money always the key. Good management, networking and establishing rapport with locals make lives easier. Consistent and constant monitoring is vital, for element of cheating always there, and working in a group produce better results
The THREE factors above has been incorporated in commercialization of my R & D a drug discovery on Haruan Channa striatus, and now the whole things is pursued as pharmaceutical production in an agro-industry setting. In my helps to local authority transforming negative attitude individuals to positive motivated persons give me satisfaction
Q3:What are the experiences of Being in the Industry?
A-As an academia, I the privilege travel extensively within Malaysia, and to many different continents of the world. My many experiences gave me the true meaning of lives, and respecting every one of those as God willing. Give and take, and vice versa make one a better approachable person. As a neurophysiologist, I am trained to believes and understand every cell is different, and every single nerve activity is different. So we are in the ocean of different individuals, and should be ready to face the world of differences. I had also inculcated into my personality the value of respecting others to make them feel part of the establishment or organization or group, pretentiously accepting idea(s) as not to humiliate anyone in public, but firmed when come to principle as to stamp your authority. One is need to be standing tall, not to be taken for granted. With such working barrier, you are always above them at all times, for once you lose this, it will be very difficult to regain. Keep a distant, for you are a friendly boss not a friend. You are a leader, not a follower, and you are a force to be reckoned, referral point, may be depending on situation is a shoulder to cry-on and always responsive to their need
I remember, it was happening long time ago during our farewell party to our chairman. One of a guard in his uniform was queuing to get his food (sate, a barbeque meats popular in Malaysia), and as a low rank officer, no one given him attention, but the waiter immediately serving me upon seeing me there. Instead of getting just for me I got more, and turned to him to placed some of the sate on his (the guard) plate. He was stunted and staring into my eyes without a word. I realized he was crying in disbelieved. From there on, he was one of my best in every aspect of security
Come back to marine fisheries or in any industry, no one is borne an expert. One must be ready to learn and adjusting oneself accordingly. I was once invited ( in 2005) to be a member team to develop a fishing hobour in one of the fishing state in Malaysia. The question was why me? The answer was they wanting people who can work, and people who are dynamic, progressive in thinking and willing to take risk. Obviously, the top management had heard of me, my working ability, and more importantly a personality that can go down to where the problem(s) is or are. Within week, from zero, I was able to put forward on the table, a very constructive planning not even the so called experts ever thinking along that lines. I am not a super human, just that knowledge is everywhere, and excess to internet is heaven. One could always excess to worldwide examples and models. The key words here are commitment, dedication and sincerity. Nothing is impossible, and God is always there to show you the way
Obviously my research in drug discovery on Haruan, now in commercialization stage with few product entering clinical trials, had really pushing me all the way to become an entrepreneur. I am more than happy to help and involves in any project India to develop helping poor to improve standard of living. With 27 years experiences as academia, panel for research grant and scholarships, and since 2003 one of the panel in health sciences with Malaysia Qualification Agency to foresee the improvement, progress, and quality of higher education in Malaysia made me an open minded, flexible and accommodative. Ready and happy to go into industry
Thursday, March 3, 2011
EVENT ALERT
-International trade fair for shipbuilding and marine technology from 7 to 9 April 2011 at Bombay exhibition centre Mumbai , India
http://bit.ly/if1dSX
-ILDEX India 2011 from 15 to 17, September 2011 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/hK26wt
-8th Symposium on diseases in Asian aquaculture from 21 to 25 November 2011, at Mangalore, India
http://bit.ly/i757zT
-9th Indian Fisheries Forum from 19 to 23 December 2011 at Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/ia1Tpk
http://bit.ly/if1dSX
-ILDEX India 2011 from 15 to 17, September 2011 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/hK26wt
-8th Symposium on diseases in Asian aquaculture from 21 to 25 November 2011, at Mangalore, India
http://bit.ly/i757zT
-9th Indian Fisheries Forum from 19 to 23 December 2011 at Chennai, India.
http://bit.ly/ia1Tpk
Israel Investing at Indian Aquaculture in MP
Israel has evinced interest to make a whopping investment of nearly Rs 40,000 crore in sectors like aquaculture, agriculture, horticulture and dairy in Madhya Pradesh.
"A team of Indo-Israel Chamber of Commerce led by Embassy of Israel Economic Counsellor Mouneer Agbariya recently met state government officials and showed interest to invest nearly Rs 40,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh," PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry State Director Rajendra Kothari told
"A team of Indo-Israel Chamber of Commerce led by Embassy of Israel Economic Counsellor Mouneer Agbariya recently met state government officials and showed interest to invest nearly Rs 40,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh," PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry State Director Rajendra Kothari told
Puffer fish in demand
It’s shorter than your index finger, it’s quite poisonous but much in demand in the aquarium trade. The Malabar Puffer Fish, endemic to Kerala and Karnataka and mostly found in the northern water bodies in Kerala, has for the first time been discovered further south. A scientific team consisting of G Prasad, K Sabu and P V Pratibhakumari of the Laboratory of Conservation Biology, Zoology Department, Kerala University, collected specimens of the miniscule fish from the Kallar River in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary a week ago. The find has added one more species to the fish wealth of this region.
CIFA observes Science day
The Central Institute of Freshwater aquaculture (CIFA) here observed National Science Day to day hosting a Science Awareness Programme for School Children. Nearly 400 school children from neighboring high schools participated in the programme.
Dr A.E.Eknath, Director of CIFA said the day 28th February marked the discovery of Raman effect in 1928. Indian physicist Dr C Venkata Raman was the recipient of the Nobel prize for physics for the discovery that when light traverses a transparent material, some of the light that is deflected changes in wave length, this phenomenon is called Raman scattering and is the result of Raman effect.
Dr A.E.Eknath, Director of CIFA said the day 28th February marked the discovery of Raman effect in 1928. Indian physicist Dr C Venkata Raman was the recipient of the Nobel prize for physics for the discovery that when light traverses a transparent material, some of the light that is deflected changes in wave length, this phenomenon is called Raman scattering and is the result of Raman effect.
Bulk of Aquaculture production
By Mr. Arnav Sen
During the past decade, world aquaculture production has grown tremendously, averaging and annual growth rate of 9.4% during the period 1994-2004. Total world aquaculture production is now on the order of 25.5 million mt, valued at $US 39.8 billion, and accounts for some 21.7% of the total world fishery landings. it has a huge capacity to raise the market value and jobs to many youngsters.
Although the culture of high-priced species such as shrimp and salmon often receives the lion’s share of attention, it is important to note that low-value inland finfish (e.g., Indian major and Chinese carps, tilapia, etc.) produced in extensive or semi-intensive culture systems comprise the bulk of world aquaculture production. Crustaceans, by comparison, represent only 4.2% of total aquaculture production by weight, and only 18.1% by value. Developing countries contribute more than 86% of total world production, with LIFDCs (Low Income Food Deficient Countries) accounting for more than 75% of the total. Production from the LIFDCs continues to grow at an above average rate of some 13% annually, indicating aquaculture’s real and potential contribution to providing low cost protein to those among the world’s most impoverished sectors.
Mr. Arnav Sen is MSc. in Marine Biotechnology and works as a Research Associate.
During the past decade, world aquaculture production has grown tremendously, averaging and annual growth rate of 9.4% during the period 1994-2004. Total world aquaculture production is now on the order of 25.5 million mt, valued at $US 39.8 billion, and accounts for some 21.7% of the total world fishery landings. it has a huge capacity to raise the market value and jobs to many youngsters.
Although the culture of high-priced species such as shrimp and salmon often receives the lion’s share of attention, it is important to note that low-value inland finfish (e.g., Indian major and Chinese carps, tilapia, etc.) produced in extensive or semi-intensive culture systems comprise the bulk of world aquaculture production. Crustaceans, by comparison, represent only 4.2% of total aquaculture production by weight, and only 18.1% by value. Developing countries contribute more than 86% of total world production, with LIFDCs (Low Income Food Deficient Countries) accounting for more than 75% of the total. Production from the LIFDCs continues to grow at an above average rate of some 13% annually, indicating aquaculture’s real and potential contribution to providing low cost protein to those among the world’s most impoverished sectors.
Mr. Arnav Sen is MSc. in Marine Biotechnology and works as a Research Associate.
First Marine Institution of its kind!
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh inaugurated the National Centre for Marine Bio-Diversity (NCMB), the first institution of its kind in India, in Jamnagar, on Wednesday.
It will also be the first Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) project with Reliance Industry, which has the world’s largest grassroots level petroleum refinery here. “A Rs. 30-crore start-up fund has been allocated for the centre. MoEF will contribute Rs. 20 crore and the rest will come from Reliance Industry. It’s been made a Public-Private-Partnership project so that it can be made a centre for excellence of the international level. The support of private firm has been taken to bring in the best talent and scientists required for the centre,” said Jairam.
It will also be the first Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) project with Reliance Industry, which has the world’s largest grassroots level petroleum refinery here. “A Rs. 30-crore start-up fund has been allocated for the centre. MoEF will contribute Rs. 20 crore and the rest will come from Reliance Industry. It’s been made a Public-Private-Partnership project so that it can be made a centre for excellence of the international level. The support of private firm has been taken to bring in the best talent and scientists required for the centre,” said Jairam.
Marine Life under threat!
These people are in a hope that their problems would be solved but what is our Govt. doing ever since these innocent people are traumatized by the encroachment of Nuclear power plants.. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (moef), the temperature of the discharged water should not be higher than 7°c above that of the sea. But temperature increases at India’s coastal nuclear reactors exceed this norm: 7.7°c (Tarapur 1&2), 8.4°c (maps 1&2 at Kalpakkam), and 9.5°c (for Tarapur 3&4).
If all six 1,000 mw reactors are built at Koodankulam, they will release over 13 times the heat discharged by the two maps reactors (220 mw each). Either the increase in the temperature of the water will be higher than at Kalpakkam.
If all six 1,000 mw reactors are built at Koodankulam, they will release over 13 times the heat discharged by the two maps reactors (220 mw each). Either the increase in the temperature of the water will be higher than at Kalpakkam.
India's first inland fish processing unit comes up in Karnal village
The tiny village of Bhutana in Karnal district has shot into limelight as consistent efforts of a progressive farmer to set up an inland fish processing unit fructified and India's first such unit for the production of value-added products was established in the village.
Talking to Explore Dr. Krisnaiah, Chief Executive officer of National Fisheries Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture said" The purpose of this unit is to provide clean and healthy fish products & to spread the awareness among the people about fish as an important food item which can be bought easily.
we are also providing 40% subsidy for women entrepreneurs and giving chance to more budding entrepreneurs for retailing" he added.
Talking to Explore Dr. Krisnaiah, Chief Executive officer of National Fisheries Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture said" The purpose of this unit is to provide clean and healthy fish products & to spread the awareness among the people about fish as an important food item which can be bought easily.
we are also providing 40% subsidy for women entrepreneurs and giving chance to more budding entrepreneurs for retailing" he added.
The Buzz (News in a Nutshell)
Aqua business opportunities on display at Chennai Seafood exports to reach $2.3 bn Budget Allocation: Good news for PSUs Training course on breeding of ornamental fish held Fewer big fish in the sea, says study Fewer big fish in the sea, says study
Interview with Mr. Arun Kumar, Lecturer , Marine Biotechnology
Q1: In your experience what is your perceptions of Fisheries & Livestock Industry?
A-The fisheries industry in India is huge. With its vast coastline, India is the fourth-largest producer of fish in the world. This is mainly because nearly 10 million people residing in more than 4,000 coastal regions are engaged in fishery activity. These people are mainly dependent on fisheries to earn a living.
Q2: In your opinion what are the top three challenges which Industry needs to correct to catapulate itself into a global player?
A-Marine and coastal ecosystems are some of the most dynamic and complex systems. Furthermore, they encompass multiple-use land, adding to their complexity. These are also much larger ecosystems and are often contiguous. What’s more, our understanding of them is weak compared to other ecosystems. The second reason is Living bio-resources found in the coastal zone are heavily exploited, and often the exploitation is unsustainable. The weak implementation of laws also adds upto its major challenges.
Q3: What are the experiences of Being in the Industry ?
A- I recommend studies to be conducted particularly for the trawling industry and purseseine, ringseine and shark fisheries, where local people have expressed an interest in diversification, socio-economic studies must be carried out. Community-based fisheries monitoring programmes must be encouraged .
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Know your Marine animals!!!
Indian Green Mussels are large mussels, commonly 8 centimeters long and occasionally reaching a size of about 16.5 centimeters. Its shell is elongate, roughly triangular in outline with one end swollen and pointed (anterior) and the other, rounded and compressed (posterior).The present invention relates to the use of Indian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) as a source of anti-HIV activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of an extract of Indian Green Mussel as a source of anti-HIV activity in vitro.
EVENT ALERT
International trade fair for shipbuilding and marine technology from 7 to 9 April 2011 at Bombay exhibition centre Mumbai , India
-ILDEX India 2011 from 15 to 17, September 2011 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India.
-8th Symposium on diseases in Asian aquaculture from 21 to 25 November 2011, at Mangalore, India
-9th Indian Fisheries Forum from 19 to 23 December 2011 at Chennai, India.
Vaastu Fish bringing good luck!
He's not the only one in the twin cities who are putting their chips on fish and suddenly these vaastu fish are in huge demand here. These rare species are on sale at the Hubli fish market near Ganesh Peth. People throng the aquarium and some people place orders of their choice well in advance.
These vaastu fish are priced between Rs 40 and Rs 1.5 lakh. But people don't mind shelling out a steep price as they believe it brings them good fortune.
Matsyotsavam 2011- One of its Kind
In case any of them reach early, and the aquariums are not ready, the fish can have a whale of a time swimming in either of the two mammoth open air pools set up on the premises
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