Global Fisheries Conference India 2023: A Call for Innovation and Collaboration in the Fisheries Sector

The Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 concluded on Wednesday with a resounding call for increased technological innovations and adoption to bolster the start-up and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country's fisheries sector.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, expressed gratitude to the Government of Gujarat for their exceptional support in organizing the event in Ahmedabad. He extended his thanks to the fishermen community and other delegates for their active participation in the conference.

This groundbreaking event, organized by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, marked the first-ever Global Fisheries Conference that brought together foreign delegations, international organizations, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders.

With over 14,000 physical and virtual participants, the two-day conference was a diverse gathering of dignitaries and stakeholders, including state fisheries ministers, ambassadors, diplomatic delegations, global fisheries scientists, policy makers, fisheries communities, and investment bankers.

The comprehensive agenda featured five technical sessions, five industry connections, and five Government-to-Government (G2G), Government-to-Business (G2B), and Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions. An exhibition ran concurrently, showcasing start-ups, fishermen, food stalls, aquarium demonstrations, artificial reefs, seaweed cultivation, capture fisheries, marine cage culture, biofloc, RAS, fish feed, LPG converter kits, pearl extraction and nucleus implantation, and the Setcom satellite terminals communication system.

Industry Connect Sessions Drive Innovation and Collaboration

The Industry Connect sessions, which brought together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and experts, identified critical challenges and opportunities within the sector. Discussions emphasized the necessity for innovation, technology adoption, gender sensitivity, and collaborative initiatives to drive sustainable growth.

The session on the 'Role of Start-ups in Fisheries and Aquaculture' underscored the importance of developing user-friendly and cost-effective solutions to address challenges faced by farmers. Collaborative efforts among start-ups with complementary services were identified as key to long-term sustainability.

However, the 'Involvement of Women in Fisheries Value Chain' session highlighted the undervaluation and underpayment of women despite their substantial contributions to post-harvest activities. Challenges such as the absence of social frameworks, lack of gender sensitivity, and low awareness were identified, with proposed solutions including hand-holding initiatives, capacity building programs, awareness campaigns, and financial assistance.

Another crucial session focused on the 'Importance of Cold Chain in Fisheries Post-Harvest Management.' Chaired by Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy from ARS, CE, NFDB, Hyderabad, the panel discussed the critical role of cold chain management in minimizing post-harvest losses and enhancing the quality and safety of fish products throughout the supply chain.

Speakers emphasized the urgency of addressing post-harvest losses, highlighting the need for energy-efficient solutions, uniform policies, and collaborations for clean refrigeration technologies. The session called for concerted efforts to upgrade the cold chain infrastructure and practices in the fisheries sector to minimize losses, enhance product quality, and ensure the continued availability of safe and nutritious seafood for consumers worldwide.

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