The National Conference on ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture: An Ecological Perspective’ being organised by the Indian Ecological Society (IES) in collaboration with the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, (GADVASU) Ludhiana kick started with a grand inaugural ceremony. It was chaired by Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, in the presence of esteemed Chief Guest Dr. Ravishankar C. N., Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, Guest of Honour Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director of ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Kolkata; a
nd the conference Co-Chairs, Dr. Ashok Dhawan, President of Indian Ecological Society and Dr. Asha Dhawan, former Dean (Retd.), of College of Fisheries (COF), GADVASU.
Dr. Meera D Ansal, Dean COF and conference organizing Secretary informed that 19 Keynote/Lead lectures and 180 scientific contributions, received from 21 institutes representing 14 Indian states and two foreign Universities, published in the form of conference proceedings and conference seminar were released by the dignitaries.
Dr. S.N. Datta and Dr. Prabjeet Singh, of COF
, GADVASU were admitted as ‘Fellow’ by the IES for their outstanding academic, scientific and extension contributions in fisheries. Four promising Aquapreneurs having made significant socio-economic contributions in driving youth to self-reliance, including Dr. Manoj Sharma, Director, Mayank Aquaculture Pvt. Ltd. From Surat, Gujarat; Dr. Atul Jain, Director, OFTRI, Udaipur, Rajasthan; Mr. Sanjeev Nagpal, Director, NASA Agro Industries Pvt. Ltd. Fazilka, Punjab; and Mr. Ravi Kumar 
Yellanki, Director, Vaisakhi Bio-Marine Pvt. Ltd. Andhra Pradesh, were felicitated with an award of honour by the IES. Dr. Prof. Soottawatt Benjakul, Director, International Center of Excellence in Seafood Science and Innovation (ICESSI), Thailand was honoured for his academic and scientific collaboration with the university. With his active
support 20 undergraduate students of COF attended 15 days capacity building in ICESSI, Thailand. GADVASU also signed an MoU with ICESSI, Thailand and three fisheries graduates selected in an integrated MSc. -Ph.D. programme in his institute.
The inaugural session conc
luded with remarks to develop innovative climate smart technologies in an eco-responsible and equitable manner. The conference is expected to put forward viable recommendations addressing the key issues for maintaining the ecological balance to support optimal economic output from the aquatic resources.
During the conference, scientific deliberations and presentations will be made under 8 theme areas in 7 technical sessions. An academia-farmer-industry interface will also be conducted for inviting suggestions for strengthening the fisheries supply chain.
