Port Blair, Mar 08: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute in association with the Department of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration conducted a training programme for the second batch of staff of Department of Fisheries on “Identification of commercially important marine fish species of Andaman Islands” at ICAR-CIARI Campus, Marine Hill during 01st to 06th March, 2021. The programme was conducted as a part of “Implementation of online fish catch data collection project” of ICAR-CMFRI in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The trainees were provided with the theoretical and practical knowledge on identification of commercially important marine fishes of the Islands. The trainees were also taken to the fish market and fish landing centre at Junglighat for the field level identification of the commercially available fishes.
During the valedictory function, Dr. Gladston, Y, Course Director briefed about the activities carried out during the training programme. Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director of Fisheries appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CIARI and advised the Departmental staffs for identification of fishes in a meticulous way to strengthen the fish catch database of these Islands. Dr. B.A. Jerard, Director, ICAR-CIARI appreciated the active participation of the Departmental staffs for the activity of national importance to strengthen the Island fisheries and also requested the Fisheries Department to conduct refresher course for the successfully completed trainees in due course of time. Dr. Utpal Kumar Sar, Director of Fisheries expressed his gratitude to ICAR-CIARI for the everlasting technical support and assured that refresher course shall be conducted for the trainees at District level. The participants gave an overall positive feedback on the training programme and also expressed their concern to be in constant touch with ICAR-CIARI to enrich their knowledge on fish identification. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Shri. Abdul Salam, Assistant Director of Fisheries and he also requested ICAR-CIARI to conduct such training programme for the benefit of remaining staffs of the Department. The team led by Dr. Gladston, Y and Dr. Ajina, S.M. have coordinated the entire training programme. A total of 20 officials from North and Middle Andaman have participated in the training programme.
