CMFRI extends technical support to Bangladesh

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has extended a helping hand to Bangladesh by providing technical support to improve its marine fisheries sector.
CMFRI has imparted technical guidance in the area of marine fish stock assessment to the neighbouring country as part of the follow up of the recommendations of the India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) on cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, a press release said.
CMFRI, the largest marine fisheries research institute in India, extended its support to Bangladesh to develop necessary manpower and expertise in the area of marine fish stock assessment, a significant tool for conserving the fishery wealth.

In association with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation(BOBP-IGO), CMFRI exclusively trained the selected fisheries officials ofBangladesh on methods of stock assessments of tropical fishes.
A total of 12 middle-level officials from the Bangladesh Fisheries Department, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute in Mymensing and the Institute of Marine Science and Fisheries, University of Chittagong were trained at the CMFRI headquarters in Kochi.
The officials were trained on using various statistical tools, softwares and applications for the assessment of fish stock and data collection.

Concept of genetic stock characterisation using molecular markers and its relevance on stock assessment was also dealt with. Practical sessions and field visits were given importance in the training programme.

Apart from this, the trainees were provided an opportunity for fishing experience onboard CMFRI's fishing vessel F V Silver Pompano.
The Principal Scientists from the CMFRI-- Dr Abdussamad E M, Dr Somy Kuriakose and Dr Shoba Joe Kizhakudan headed various sessions of the training programme which was coordinated by the HRD Cell of CMFRI.
Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director, CMFRI said the training was aimed at helping Bangladesh develop necessary manpower and expertise in marine fish stock assessment and encourage research in the area.
The training would be helpful to the Bangladesh officials to develop the data collection system for generating necessary fishery and biological inputs towards the conservation and sustainable management of their marine fishery resources, he said.

"CMFRI is one of the premier institutes in the world working in the area of tropical fish stock assessment. The institute is capable of extending its service in the area to the institutes within and outside the country", Gopalakrishnan said.