The inaugural programme of the 3 days Workshop on ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Response in Emergencies’ was organized by ICAR-CIFE at Fisheries Research Centre, Assam Agriculture University (AAU), Jorhat on 10th March, 2016.

Dr. P.P. Srivastava, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, NEH region, ICAR-CIFE welcomed the dignitaries and the participants of the workshop. He presented the activities undertaken by ICAR-CIFE specially for NEH region.

Dr. Arpita Sharma, Workshop Co-ordinator and Principal Scientist, CIFE, Mumbai explianed about the programme in brief. She mentioned that this workshop is a part of an institute funded research project for which capacity development programmes for stakeholders are organised. One such programme was organised on 18.12.15 at Mumbai, India and recently on 25-27 February, 2016 at Sundarban as per the recommendations of FAOs Emergency Response and Guidance in Fisheries and Aquaculture. The aim of these workshops is to raise awareness to the diverse stakeholders about the vulnerability of the sector, current frameworks for response and the need to be better prepared through appropriate trainings. She mentioned that third workshop is being organized at FRC, AAU, Jorhat for which ICAR-CIFE is thankful to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, AAU, Jorhat Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah, Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah, Senior Scientist & In-charge, Fisheries Research Centre, AAU, Jorhat and all the staff of AAU.

In his remarks Dr. H.C. Bhattacharya, Director Extension Education, AAU, Jorhat mentioned that the state of Assam faces two extremities i.e., flood and droughts. He added that inundation is caused by floods and this brings in the risk of health hazard through water quality deterioration, entry of disease carrier fish, other infectious agent, high organic loads and decomposed matters form the surroundings that facilitate a predisposing environment various type of diseases in culture fisheries. These coupled with many other factors causes immense loss to the fisheries sector. He expressed his happiness that CIFE has taken an effort in the right direction to have a 3 days workshop where participants have come from various organisations.

Dr. D. K. Borah, Dean, Agriculture, mentioned that there are measures which are taken in case of agriculture and livestock but in case of fisheries there is a need to have sector specific measures. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, AAU, Jorhat, Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his inaugural speech, Dr. Bujarbaruah appreciated efforts of Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director & Vice Chancellor, CIFE Mumbai to conduct 3 days workshop on this topic with a diverse stakeholder group and choosing FRC, AAU for the conduct of the programme. He stressed that North East region is known for its vast potential of water resources coupled with rich diversity of flora and fish fauna but recurring floods cause havoc to the fishery resources and often making rural people homeless. Recurrent flood menace cause vast damage to the capture and culture fishery resources almost every year. Fishers who depend on these resources for their livelihood are now facing problems to meet their both ends owing to sharp decline in fish catch from the natural fishery resources. He mentioned that there is a need for training for officials working in fisheries in this area.

Dr Bujarbaruah, said that it is an irony that we ourselves have created a situation for disaster to emerge like floods and droughts and then we try to find solutions to address the problems. He mentioned that there Damage Need Assessment in agriculture and animal husbandary has been done but not much in fisheries. This should be taken into consideration so as to have an integrated approach across sectors so as to have a road map to tackle disasters related to fisheries. Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah, Senior Scientist & In-charge, Fisheries Research Centre, AAU, Jorhat presented the Vote of thanks.

The workshop was attended by 33 participants representing NGOs like Dhan Foundation, Society for Rural Development (SORDEC), Indian Red Cross Society, Cheelbanda Beel Unyan Samiti, Kalanpur Yuva Sangh, Progressive fish farmers from Dakshin Beelgaon Sanghtan, College of Fisheries, Raha, ICAR-CICFRI, KVK, Department of Fisheries, Assam and Department of Fisheires Shillong. A total of 70 participants attended the inaugural programme with Dean (Home Science), Dean (Horticulture), Dean (Sericulture).