Worksop Calls for Collaboration Between Scientists and Fishers

KOCHI:
A stakeholder workshop organised by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has called for collaboration between the scientific and fishing communities to maintain sustainability in the marine fisheries sector. The workshop highlighted that CMFRI’s scientific data collection could be enhanced by integrating real-time fishing data directly from fishermen, resulting in refined scientific research.

Fishermen’s first-hand knowledge of the sea and the ecosystem would provide invaluable insights that would help enhance the efficiency of marine research, it proposed. The workshop also called for implementing strict measures to curb juvenile fishing.

CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George presided over the meet. According to him, significant changes occur in the marine ecosystem following climate change. “These changes will be more evident within the next 30 years with shifts in community structure and distribution of marine resources”, he said.

“CMFRI is dedicated to finding scientific solutions to address the crises plaguing the marine fisheries sector”, Dr George said, adding that fishermen’s suggestions and input in this regard will be studied.

Dr T M Najmudeen made a presentation on Kerala marine fisheries sector. He suggested that strict implementation of mesh size restriction is key to curb juvenile fishing.

Fishermen representatives suggested a ban on night fishing in coastal waters to curb unscientific and potentially damaging practices. They further emphasized the need for stricter controls on vessels from other states and a national-level coordinated system for strengthening regulations. They raised concerns about sea sand mining, warning that it would exacerbate the crisis in the state’s marine fisheries sector.

Dr Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, Fisheries Joint Director Asha Augustine, D C Ramachandran, Dr Livi Wilson, Charles George, Antony Kurishinkal, T V Jayan, Kumbalam Rajappan, Raju Ashrayam, Siby Ponnoos, K P Sebastian, A D Unnikrishnan and Satheesan N M spoke on the occasion.