Seminar report

A National Symposium on "Fisheries Enhancement in Open Water - Challenges ahead" was organized at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore. Sponsored jointly by the Inland Fisheries Society of India and the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute on 27-28 April, 2002, the Symposium was formally inaugurated by Dr. S. Z. Qasim, the renowned Scientist, former Member of Planning Commission, Govt. of India and Ex-Vice-Chancellor of Jamila Milla, New Delhi. A galaxy of other eminent Fishery Scientists, Academicians, Developmental authorities Extension functionaries Researchers, Students, Progressive Fish farmers and other dignitaries from different parts of the country were present on the occasion.

Dr. V.V. Sugunan, Director CIFRI and President of Inland Fisheries Society of India, Barrackpore, in his welcome address elaborated the concept and rationale behind the topic of the Symposium. He welcomed the delegates who came from different parts of the country to attend the Symposium.

Honorary Fellowships of Inland Fisheries Society of India were conferred on eleven eminent Scientists of the country on the occassion. The recipients of Honorary Fellowships of IFSI were Dr. S. N. Dwivedi, Dr. S. D. Tripathi, Dr. J. S. Dutta Munshi, Prof. T. J. Pandian, Dr. G. P. Dubey, Dr. Y. S. Yadava, Shri J. V. H. Dixitulu, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Dr. B. N. Singh, Dr. S. A. H Abidi and Dr. M. Y. Kamal. Fellowships were also awarded to Prof. A. R. Khudabaksh, Dr. H. S. Sehgal, Shri Anup Dutta, Dr. Bidhan Patra, Dr. A. K. Mandoloi and Prof. K. K. Sharma. Dr. S. Z. Qasim, the doyen of Indian Marine Sciences, distributed the Fellowships. Shri R. A. Gupta, Secretary, IFSI proposed a vote of thanks.

An exhibition, Aqua Fair 2002 was organised on the occassion at CIFRI Campus, Barrackpore. Dr. S. N. Dewivedi, former Director, CIFE, Mumbai and the Ex-Director General of Science and Technology, Madhya Pradesh inaugurated the fair. The main attraction of the fair was the stalls of CMFRI, CIFRI, CIFT, CIBA, CIFA, CIFE, NRC on Coldwater Fisheries and NBFGR highlighting their achievements in the fisheries sector. The exhibition was also participated by many other research Institutes, industry, trade and NGOs.

The Symposium comprising four Technical Sessions spread overtwo days. The main highlight of the Symposium was a Session on invited lectures. The Session was chaired by Dr. K. V. Devaraj. A total of eight lectures were delivered by eminent scientists likje Dr. T. J. Pandian, Dr. S. N. Dwivedi, Dr. S. D. Tripathi, Dr. G. P. Dubey, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Shri J. V. H. Dixitulu, Dr. B. N. Singh and Dr. K. K. Vass.

The Technical Session on Biological and Environmental Implications of Enhancements was chaired by Dr. S. N. Dwivedi and Shri J. V. H. Dixitulu. Fifty papers were discussed. Shri V. K. Murugesen and Shri M. Kartikeyan were the rapporteurs. The Session on Resource-based Approach and Development Strategies was chaired by Dr. S. D. Tripathi and Dr. S. Ayyappan. Dr. R. K. Tyagi and Dr. A. K. Sahoo recorded the proceedings. Forty two papers were discussed in the session. Dr. B. N. Singh and Dr. K. K. Vasschaired the Session on Socio-economic Aspects and Institutional Arrangements of Enhancement. Dr. (Mrs.) Usha Moza was the rapporteur. Fourteen papers were presented in this session, In the General Session after discussion, the delegates adopted a set of 16 point recommendations as the Barrackpore Declaration.

Recommendations

• The Symposium recognizes rivers, reservoirs, lakes and floodplain wetlands as the most suitable aquatic resources for practicing Enhancement norms in India. It further identifies enhancement as an important tool in the management of inland fisheries in the country, which ensures eco-friendly development with social equity.
• It is recommended that the resource inventory, assessment and management of the above resources may be done using tools of GIS and remote sensing, with due collaboration with concerned S&T agencies in the country.
• The Symposium underscores the need for restoration of riverine environment for increased fish production and conservation of endemic fish fauna. This calls for habitat improvement such as breeding and nursery grounds, etc.
• The Symposium identifies water abstraction, wanton killing of brood and juvenile fishes, sand mining, sedimentation due to deforestation and pollution as the main environmental issues in riverine ecosystems to be tackled on a priority basis. This calls for an integrated approach involving various stakeholders. Therefore, a National Riverine Regulatory Authority on lines of Coastal Zone Regulatory Authority needs to be set up. The agency should be fully empowered and equipped to enforce the regulatory measures, with necessary budget provisions.
• The Symposium is of the view that reservoirs are to be developed by adopting various enhancement norms. For instance, the small reservoirs are amenable for culturebased fisheries while larger ones are to be developed on the basis of stock and species enhancement.
• The Symposium identifies a need for an institutional machanism to ensure smooth implementation of enhancement practices for reservoir fisheries development. A Central Sector Resevoir Fisheries Development Agency (similar to FFDA) with equal participation from State and Central governments needs to be constituted. It further feels a need to manage the reservoirs on the basis of Reservior Clusters Wrap (RCW) to ensure timely availability of necessary infrastructure and inputs. There should be provision for private sector/industry participation in reservoir fishery development.
• Recognizing an urgent need to enlarge species spectrum of reservoir fisheries, the Symposium recommends stocking of prawns and carps other than IMC. Biological investigations on more endemic species are needed to standardize seed production and stock management of these new candidate species.
• The Symposium notes with concern the irrational and destructive fishing practices followed in open waters. Since legal and punitive measures fail to ensure compliance of various regulations already in force, aggressive campaigns are needed to create the necessary awareness. All research Institutes, in liaison with State government agencies, are exhorted to initiate such campaigns to create awareness among various sections of the public.
• It is further recommended that sensitization of policy makers, planners and managers on various aspects of enhancement should be taken up on a priority basis.
• The Symposium expresses concern on the destruction on city wetlands of East Kolkata. It is recommended that reclamation/destruction of city wetlands should be stopped to protect the livelihood of thousands of people.
• The Symposium stresses the need for developing quantitative health assessment methods, which can be applied for different fish population in open waters. Appropriate bio-indicators should be standardized for monitoring the health status of fish populations in stressed ecosystems.
• It is recommended that greater emphasis should be laid on imparting skill development in different enhancement activities to the stakeholders viz., fishers, their children, oustees of reservoirs, cooperatives, etc. for increasing productivity and facilitating rehabilitation.
• The Symposium recognizes the critical role played by women in beel fishery programmes in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. There should be special drive to educate them and make them aware of the importance of scientific fishery management.
• Pearl Culture, oyster culture, ornamental fish culture, Tubifex culture and crab fattening etc. are identified as the new vistas for women in fisheries. Therefore, Symposium recommends steps for specific development measures in these areas for women.
• The fisheries education setup in our country should provide adequate focus on skill development at middle level to create enterpreneurship so that knowledge-based enhancement is popularized.