ICAR-CCARI organises capacity building programme on “Fisheries resource conservation and management” under Schedule Caste Sub Plan for fishermen from Karnataka

ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa, Goa is involved in fishermen Welfare projects under Schedule Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi from Govt. of India to make a change in the livelihood of coastal farmers and fishermen of the country. In this regard, a training cum awareness programme on “Fisheries resource conservation and management” was organised at Karwar (PG study centre, Karwar) by ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa on 25^th May, 2019 in collaboration with the PG Study centre, Karnatak University, Karwar. Fishing net material, ropes, life jacket floats, floats and sinkers were distributed among the traditional (SC) fishermen from SC fisheries co-operative societies from Bhatkal, Shirali, Mavinkurve, Heble, Bailuru and Murudeshwar. A total of 40 fishermen were benefitted with the inputs for the safe and sustainable fishing operations. During the function, Dr. MJ Gupta, Scientist, ICAR-CCARI welcomed the gathering and briefed about the research and extension activities of the institute under the SCSP. Shri. Nagaraj P, Deputy Director (Fisheries), Uttara Kannada was the chief guest of the function. He has appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CCARI for improving the livelihood of fishermen and agricultural farmers through their research and extension services. He has also made a clear mention about the schemes and developmental activities, which are implemented by the Department of Fisheries. He has also detailed about the steps initiated by the department to control illegal and indiscriminate fishing in the coastal waters of Karnataka. Dr. Jagannath Rathod, Professor and Chairman of PG Study Centre, Karwar has briefed about the research and development activities of the centre and he has assured full support to the activities and programmes of ICAR-CCARI in Karnataka in future. He has also assured his co-operation in the research programmes on fisheries resources in estuaries of Karnataka. Dr. HRC Prabhu, Programme Co-ordinator (I/C) Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa has addressed the fishermen and briefed about the extension and development activities of the KVK. After the inaugural session, a technical session including fishermen interaction was organised by Dr. Sreekanth GB, Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI and Dr. Shivkumar Haragi, Asst. Professor, PG study centre, KU. An extension leaflet in Kannada on “Conservation of fisheries resources in coastal ecosystems” was also released on the occasion.  In this a discussion on 1) fisheries of Karnataka: conservation challenges, measures and opportunities and 2) Community based fisheries conservation management for coastal fisheries were discussed and feedback was gathered from fishermen. A request was received from the fishermen to provide a helpline number for the complaints and enquires and Dy. Director has assured necessary follow ups in this regard. The fishermen groups have also expressed their sincere gratitude towards ICAR-CCARI, Goa and assured that a feedback will be provided to analyse the effectiveness of the programme for the welfare of coastal traditional fisher-folk.