Union Minister, George Kurian, inaugurated a symposium on 'Aquatic Animal Diseases: Emerging Challenges and Preparedness' at the ICAR Convention Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. Organized as part of the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) from February 12-15, 2025, the event is themed “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific,” focusing on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development.
Addressing the gathering, George Kurian commended ICAR for its efforts in organizing the symposium and emphasized the "One Earth - One Family" approach. He underlined the significance of nutrition and biosecurity in aquaculture, stressing that sustainable practices are vital for food security, economic growth, and livelihoods. Highlighting the initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), he called for greater collaboration between government bodies, research institutions, and industry stakeholders to enhance disease surveillance, strengthen biosecurity protocols, and improve diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.
Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, provided an overview of the event, acknowledging the support of the Government of India and the Network of Aquaculture Centers in the Asia-Pacific (NACA). He elaborated on the importance of robust biosecurity measures and discussed key projects like the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) Phase II and the INFAR project, both aimed at advancing disease control strategies. Stressing the need for efficient disease management amid the diversification of aquaculture, he highlighted the importance of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines to safeguard fish health.
Joint Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Sagar Mehra, highlighted the crucial role of fisheries in economic sustainability and livelihood security. He emphasized the necessity of national, regional, and local strategies to mitigate disease outbreaks, recognizing the impact of live animal movement on disease transmission. He urged for stronger biosecurity frameworks and early detection systems to ensure the long-term viability of the aquaculture industry.
Dr. B.K. Behera, Chief Executive of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), stressed the importance of institutionalizing fish disease surveillance programs in India. He advocated for the establishment of disease-free zones in key aquaculture areas to curb infections and improve overall biosecurity. He called for integrating surveillance programs into national aquaculture policies, reinforcing regulatory frameworks, and ensuring sustained funding for effective implementation.
Dr. Eduardo Leano from NACA, Thailand, shed light on the organization's extensive disease surveillance initiatives across 20 countries. He raised concerns over the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture and called for an internationally coordinated approach to aquatic biosecurity to mitigate risks effectively.
Earlier, Dr. B.K. Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, welcomed the attendees, highlighting aquaculture advancements and the significance of disease management. He emphasized the Network project on fish health under the NSPAAD initiative as a critical step toward enhancing disease surveillance and fostering innovation in aquatic health solutions.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. P.K. Sahoo, Director of ICAR-CIFA, who acknowledged the contributions of dignitaries and participants.
