Run For Fish! College of Fisheries organize ‘Marathon’ to mark ‘World Fisheries Day’
- Run For Fish! College of Fisheries, Mangaluru in association with Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University-Bidar, as part of “Fishco Golden Jubilee” organize ‘Marathon’ to mark ‘World Fisheries Day’ on Thursday, 22 November 2018 from Nehru Maidan, Mangaluru.
Mangaluru: Today, 21 November, fishing communities around the globe marked World Fisheries Day, and for that matter locally, College of Fisheries, Mangaluru in association with Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University-Bidar, as part of “Fishco Golden Jubilee” organized a ‘Marathon’ also to mark ‘World Fisheries Day’ on Thursday, 22 November 2018- the marathon commenced from Nehru Maidan, passed through Hampankatta, Jyothi, Kankanady Pumpwell and culminated at Fisheries College, Souterpet-Mangaluru.
Despite the growth of aquaculture, small-scale capture fisheries will continue to supply most of the fish consumed in much of the developing world in the coming decades. The majority of these fisheries are small-scale, operating in rivers, lakes, wetlands, coral reefs and estuaries in coastal seas, and provide livelihoods for millions of people. Yet small-scale fisheries are frequently overlooked in discussions around the sustainable and equitable use of oceans, seas and inland water bodies. World Fisheries Day serves as an important reminder that we need to change the way we manage global fisheries in order to maintain stocks and healthy aquatic ecosystems.
The Marathon was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner of DK Sasikanth Senthil, in the presence of Dr H Shivananda Murthy- Dean, College of Fisheries; Dr Anjanayappa- coordinator of Marathon; Dr Shivakumar Magada- Professor and Associate Director of Extension, College of fisheries; and the event was compered by Dr Ramachandra Naik- Programme coordinator at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). Nearly 250 fisheries college students along with their professors took part in the marathon. After the Marathon ended, the inauguration of Badminton tournament and Swimming competition took place. Winners in the marathon were presented with attractive prizes.
Prior to the flag off, dean of fisheries college, Dr Shivananda Murthy briefing about the activities at the College said, “The research activities we have undertaken so far as part of our commitment, and the scientific evidence we have generated as a result, are helping us to build a multifaceted picture of the socioeconomic and business case for supporting small-scale fisheries and, in doing so, raising their profile and visibility in the wider discourse of the sustainable development agenda”. DC Sasikanth Senthil also speaking said, “Mangaluru is a vast coastal region, but not much has been done to improve it. College of fisheries should take an initiative in developing the fishing industry, and help the fishermen in the latest technology. I am eagerly waiting to visit college of fisheries so we can chalk out a few plans for the betterment of the fishing industry and fishermen”.
More About World Fisheries Day by Dr Shivakumar Magada, Professor and associate director, College of Fisheries, Mangaluru:
On November 21 of every year, “World Fisheries Day” is celebrated around the world by fishing communities and other stakeholders such as academicians, environmental groups and policymakers. In India ‘Fish Farmer’s Day’ is celebrated on 10th of July every year. But, world fisheries day has not gained the momentum as it deserves not celebrated widely. It’s an open call letter for all the organization related to fisheries and aquaculture to take a step towards conducting meaningful and result-oriented programs. Because only the fisheries sector would suffice the additional protein requirement for a rapidly growing population. It can play a major role in eradicating hunger and malnutrition. Here are some interesting fish facts to inspire further reflection.
Overall, fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of an estimated 540 million people or eight percent of the world population. People have never eaten as much fish and more people than ever are employed in or depend on the sector (Source: FAO Media Centre, January 2011). More than 80 percent of the world’s fisheries are at risk from overfishing (Source: Oceana). India is a major maritime State and an important aquaculture country in the world. India stands fourth in the world with regard to total fish production, with an annual production of about 175.2 million tones (mt) and it is 93.2 mt with the marine and the inland sectors contributing 58+ mt respectively.
Aquaculture is increasingly becoming important, with an annual growth rate of over 6-8%. The country is the second largest producer of fish through aquaculture in the world, next to China. The annual per capita fish availability in the country is of the order of 11 kg, which is lower than the WHO recommendation of 18 kg/person/annum. The annual export earnings from fish and shellfish is more than Rs.33,500 crores, accounting for 18% of the agricultural exports and over 2% of the total exports. Producing about 6.42% of the world’s fish, India trades to the extent of 3.5% in the global fish market.
India is home for more than 10% of global fish biodiversity, with 2,200 species of fish and shellfish, 1,440 in marine, 143 in brackish water, 544 on freshwater and 73 in cold water. The fish production from the two sectors of marine and inland is estimated at 3.9 and 7.7 mt, totaling 11.6 mt. Over 15 million people are directly engaged in different fisheries and aquaculture activities in the country. The contribution of the fisheries sector is estimated at around Rs.45,000 crores annually, amounting to 1.07% to the GDP and 5.4% to the agricultural GDP.
With varied agro-ecological zones, the country possesses immense potentials ranging from marine fisheries to cold water fisheries in the mountains, including coastal aquaculture, riverine fisheries, pond aquaculture. The aquaculture practices of integrated fish farming, inland saline aquaculture, ornamental fish culture, prawn farming, etc, are highly compatible with other farming systems and flexible with regard to the scale of operations, both size and investments. Globally aquaculture is recognized as an important tool for ensuring domestic nutritional security and rural development. A virtual blue revolution is happening in the country, with States like Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana taking to aquaculture in a big way, along with West Bengal, Orissa and Assam. Thus fisheries and aquaculture have become important enterprises across the country, in both coastal and inland States, for adding to the food basket, employment generation as well as the economy of different regions.
In order to realize the full potentials of the Indian fisheries sector and address critical areas of development, the Government of India, in one of the major initiatives during the Tenth Five year plan has established the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) with its Headquarters at Hyderabad. The mission of the Board is coordination of different agencies and public-private partnerships, with activities relating to intensive aquaculture in ponds and tanks, reservoir fisheries, coastal aquaculture, deep sea fishing an tuna processing, mariculture, seaweed cultivation, infrastructure for post-harvest processing, fish dressing centers & solar drying of fish and domestic marketing.
The Board envisages providing support to hitherto less developed areas and address critical issues like setting up aqua-shops as single window facility for aquaculture inputs, training and demonstration for personnel at different operational levels, hatcheries for new fish/shellfish species for diversification, stocking of reservoirs with quality fingerling’s, facility enhancement at fishing harbors, model fish dressing centers, up gradation of wholesale and retail fish markets and innovative programmes like aqua-tourism, sport fisheries, ornamental fisheries and so on. The new initiative is expected to bring in a total change in different segments of Indian fisheries for a ‘blue revolution’ and benefits to both the producer and the consumer in the country.
However, we have to acknowledge that much threat has been done to the fisheries ecosystem. We cannot escape the consequences. The declining catch due to overfishing effort, usage of small mesh size which catches juveniles and many non-targeted species, monsoon fishing, wanton fishing, pollution, destruction of mangroves are the consciously known challenges in the marine sector. Introduction of exotic species like pacu, tilapia, African catfish, non-availability of good quality carp seeds in required quantity, increased input cost are the major issues in the aquaculture side. The recommendations of many fisheries symposiums, workshops in the last two decades have to see the daylight and implement them wherever they are feasible. Indian fisheries scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders must take accelerated effort to rebuild the glory of nature. This day should serve as an additional wake-up call to ensure, and push for, a transition towards sustainability in fisheries, so we can continue enjoying this resource in the future.
About the Author:
Dr Shivakumar Magada is the professor of Aquatic Biology; and Associate Director of Extension at College of Fisheries, Mangaluru. He has 23 years of rich experience in fisheries research teaching and extension. Handled more than 26 projects, written 10 research papers, 16 books/handbooks related to fisheries and aquaculture. Presently, engaged in soil conservation of soil and agriculture through aquaculture.
