ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai organized a one-day National Consultation on Higher Fisheries Education on 16^th December, 2016 at Mumbai. The primary aim of the event was to support the education system of the fisheries colleges by facilitating through ICAR-fisheries research institutes. The consultation meet was attended by Deans of Fisheries Colleges of Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura and Rajasthan along with the Directors of ICAR Fisheries Institutes.

In the inaugural address, Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director, ICAR-CIFE expressed that the goal of “Blue Revolution” can only be achieved by strengthening the fisheries education on the country. Hence, this is the need of the hour to support the state fisheries colleges, who shoulder the responsibility of producing fishery graduates, to augment their basic need for improving the student quality. This will help in developing quality human resources in the country with adequate expertise in frontier areas of fisheries. Dr. N. P. Sahu, Dean, ICAR-CIFE introduced the delegates about the genesis and work plan of the National Meet and also highlighted the features to be discussed during the group discussion. Dr. G. Venkateswarlu, ADG (EQR), Education Division, ICAR presented a glimpse of various ICAR schemes launched recently to enhance the quality of higher education by supporting the students and faculties. Dr. P. Jayasankar, Director-ICAR-CIFA advocated strongly for incorporating the elements of entrepreneurship development programme in higher fisheries education. Dr.A.K.Singh, Director, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, Dr.Masood Balkhi, Dean, COF-J&K, Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore also expressed their views to bring harmonization between UG and PG education.

The national consultation meet was successful in providing an interface for fruitful discussion and exchange of ideas among the representatives of Colleges of Fisheries, ICAR-CIFE and ICAR Research Institutes pursuing teaching and research in fisheries. In order to maintain the momentum of growth of this sector, highly competent human resource is an indispensable pre-requisite. The recommendation of this National Consultation will facilitate the reforms in higher fisheries education of the country.