A two days National Seminar on "Changing Perspectives of Inland Fisheries" was inaugurated by Shri Kiranmay Nanda, Hon,ble Minister, Department of Fisheries, Government of West Bengal. Dr. P.V. Dehadrai, Dy. Director General (Fy), ICAR, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi delivered a key note address on the occassion. Prof. B.B. Mallick, Vice Chancellor, West Bengal University for Fisheries and Animal Sciences, also addressed the gathering. Dr. M. Sinha, Director, CIFRI, Barrackpore, and President, IFSI, welcomed the delegates, who came from different parts of the country to attend the Seminar. The society also presented mementos to the eminent fishery scientists of the country viz., Mr. K.H. Alikunhi, Dr. H.L. Chowdhury and Dr. P.V. Dehadrai for their lifetime achievments in fishery research and development both in India and abroad. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. K.K. Vass, the secretary, IFSI.

The Seminar spread over for two days was conducted under four concurrent technical sessions and two joint sessions viz.

1. Young Scientists Award
2. Environment impact and management
3. Fish population dynamics and food chain structure
4. Productivity management and eco-friendly aquaculture
5. Socio-economic issues
6. Plenary

The Seminar after the inaugural function started in the afternoon of 16.3.97 with a joint session chaired by Dr. P.V. Dehadrai, Dy. Director General (Fy), ICAR, in which the papers submitted for young scientist award, were presented by the competing scientists and the best paper presentation was assessed by the panel of judges comprising Mr. K.H. Alikunhi, Dr. H.L. Chowdhury and Dr. R.K. Sinha. The technical session I was chaired by Prof. S.K. Konar, Kalyani University, in which out of 28 listed papers 20 were presented by different authors. The session II was chaired by Prof. N.C. Datta, Calcutta University, in which out of 24 listed papers 20 were presented. The session III was chaired by Dr. Hiralal Chowdhury, FAO Fishery consultant, in which 19 out of 21 listed papers were presented. Dr. P. Das, Former Director, NBFGR, chaired the session IV in which all the 9 listed papers were presented by the authors. The plenary session was chaired by an eminent fishery scientist, former Director, CIFE and FAO expert Dr. K.H. Alikunhi. At the plenary session, based on the recommendations of panel of judges, the best young scientists paper presentation award was announced by the Director CIFRI in favour Ms. Basanti Raina from the Deptt. of Biosciences, Jammu University, Jammu. She was handed over a cheque of Rs. 10,000 by the chairman.

The draft recommendations of the Seminar were presented before the house by each Sectional Chairperson. After critical and detailed discussions by the participating delegates on each, following recommendations were approved by the house.

• The Seminar expresses its concern towards the general lack of expertise in the science of aquatic systematics. There is a need to encourage young researchers to take up such studies in order to develop a strong database on aquatic biodiversity.
• The existing database on environmental aspects of open water systems with a focus on biodiversity should be utilised to organise Master's level degree course for "Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Management" at CIFRI.
• Our time series database on riverine resources is strong only in case of the Ganga. Similar database need to be created in respect of other major rivers. The resources of all concerned organisations and State Agencies should be coordinated to create such databases on a GIS platform. National River Conservation Directorate, Govt. of India may sponsor a linkage programme involving competent nodal agencies.
• There should be a national protocol on introduction of exotic fishes. Any accidental or deliberate of organisms out of its range is an introduction. The policy on introduction of fish within the country needs to be re-examined. Sunderbans is an ecologically fragile and sensitive area. No exotic fish species should be allowed in the waters connected with Sunderban ecosystems.
• Stocking of river stretches should be done with caution. On account of the practice of mixed spawning, genetic make up of the Indian major carps has altered. Stocked species with genetically mutilated stock poses a great threat to our pristine stock. In case of river stocking, only the brooders caught from the wild should be employed.
• The Seminar emphasises the need to conserve the Himalayan rivers, especially the small streams in order to protect the prized Mahseer, priority action need to be initiated in these upland rivers.
• River basin to be studied not only in relation to its waterbody alone but in relation to the management of the entire catchment area.
• Database on rivers and reservoirs to be put on a suitable software programmes which may be available through CD-ROM system to various user organisation.
• The environmental monitoring programmes apart from assessing the biophysical process and interactions of the system should also assess and corelate the social implications for evaluating the change in the quality of life with man as a centre stage.
• Recent surveys conducted in the Chilka lake radical change in its hydrography, basin morphometry and species spectrum during last 30 years. Similar studies on other lagoon ecosystem is necessary in the country.
• Estuarine oceanography of the Hooghly river in all its aspects needs to be completed as an unique example of an estuarine ecosystem with bore tide.
• Technology of cage/pen culture in open water ecosystem helps the poor, merginal and landless farmers/fisherman. Such programmes may be debeloped and widely propagated.
• The seminar notes the absence of a national protocol on quarantine in fishes. Quarantine procedures for fishes are to be developed and standardized.
• NABARD should stipulate compulsory pond water quality management as as pre-condition for finacing.
• Use of extraneous inputs to raise the carrying capacity of an aquatic ecosystem should be restricted to sustainability limitations for environmental management biodiversity conservation.