A consultative workshop on “Fisheries and Aquaculture Production in Tamil Nadu (FAPTN’24)

Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU) and the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, jointly organized a consultative workshop on “Fisheries and Aquaculture Production in Tamil Nadu (FAPTN’24) – Status and Way Forward” on November 30, 2024, at the TNJFU-Institute of Fisheries Post Graduate Studies (IFPGS), Vaniyanchavadi, Chennai. The workshop was conducted under the esteemed patronage of Dr. N. Felix, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU); Thiru. Satyabrata Sahoo, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries, and Fishermen Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu; and Tmt. R. Gajalakshmi, IAS, Director, Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. The workshop aimed to enhance Tamil Nadu's potential in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by identifying gaps and strategizing comprehensive roadmaps for development and livelihood improvement in the sector. The event witnessed participation from over 100 attendees, both online and offline, including officials from the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, University Officers of TNJFU, Fisheries & Aquaculture Industry experts and faculty members and students of TNJFU. The program commenced with a welcome address by the Vice-Chancellor of TNJFU. Director of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, TN provided an overview of the department's initiatives and objectives. The workshop featured six technical sessions, led by eminent speakers from industries and Bay of Bengal Programme (BoBP-IGO). The Vice-Chancellor presented an overview of TNJFU’s contributions and initiatives supporting the fisheries sector. The discussions highlighted Tamil Nadu’s significant potential in fisheries and shrimp production, emphasizing the current gaps and the need for innovative solutions. The Principal Secretary in his concluding remarks underscored the crucial role of the fisheries sector in driving the state's economy. He stressed the need to attract new talent and innovative financing to the sector while advocating for active collaboration between industry and academia. Such partnerships, he noted, can play a pivotal role in shaping government policies and ensuring their effective implementation. He also lauded Tamil Nadu’s strengths in certain sectors of fisheries and motivated participants with the mantra, “Think big and become big.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing stakeholder needs and fostering an ecosystem that supports sustainable growth. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Dr. S. Balasundari, Dean (Basic Sciences), TNJFU-IFPGS, and the program ended with the National Anthem.