KOCHI, 30 January 2019 : An international workshop on fisheries and aquaculture has called for regional cooperation among the member countries of African Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) in an effort to develop joint fisheries management plans aiming to achieve sustainable development of the fisheries in Afro-Asian countries.
The 15-day workshop, which was attended by delegates from 12 member countries of AARDO, concluded at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) with a view that joint efforts and integrated fishery policy are essential to address the issues existing in the sector. Delegates from Oman, Lebanon, Taiwan, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Libya, Zambia, Malawi, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh felt the need for mutual cooperation of AARDO nations to launch better fisheries management initiatives in respective countries. The research institutes like CMFRI shall come up with technical inputs to develop strategies for addressing issues such as deterioration of fish stock, marine pollution, overfishing, climate change, etc., they said.
Speaking on the valedictory of the workshop, Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI said the institute was keen to offer all assistance required for integrated policy formulations and collaborative research works with the member countries of AARDO. “CMFRI is eying international collaboration to carry out joint research efforts to understand the focal issues pertaining to the marine fisheries sector of different Afro-Asian countries”, he said.
Being identified as the Centre of Excellence in fisheries and aquaculture by the AARDO, CMFRI hosted the workshop which offered advanced training to the participants in areas such as marine fisheries assessment, fish stock estimation, marine fisheries environment, impact of climate change on fisheries, responsible fisheries and mariculture activities like cage farming, along with practical sessions.
Dr Imelda Joseph, Dr Somy Kuriakose and Rajesh N spoke on the valedictory of the workshop.
About AARDO
The African Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) is an inter-governmental organisation in the field of agricultural and rural development with its headquarters in New Delhi. Currently 33 member countries from Africa and Asia are part of AARDO.
Photo caption: CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan speaking on the valedictory of the international workshop on fisheries and aquaculture at the CMFRI.