Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Fisheries Fair gets underway in Chennai

With members of the fishing community joining in large numbers along with scientists, and government officials, the two-day long M.S. Swaminathan Centenary Fisheries Fair organised by the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation got under way at Taramani on Thursday. 

The fair seeks to spotlight emerging challenges in the fisheries sector, including climate vulnerability, livelihood insecurity, and to look for solutions rooted in science and technology, with community participation. 

Chairperson of the Foundation, Soumya Swaminathan, said agricultural scientist Professor M. S. Swaminathan had recognised 40 years ago that coastal communities were very vulnerable to climate change. He wanted MSSRF to work in a participatory manner with the communities towards strengthening their resilience. “We hope that through the many partners who have joined us today, we can collectively create policy impact,” she said. 

Tides of Transformation, a compilation of success stories of fishers and the 16^th annual report of the Fish for All Research and Training Centre were launched on the occasion. Community champions were recognised as Stewards of Biohappiness. A curated exhibition showcasing community enterprises from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry titled “From Sea to Society” was also inaugurated. 

Sudheer Joseph, Group Director, INCOIS, said that there was a need for high tech science to reach the grassroots. Stronger collaboration between institutions and coastal communities was essential for resillience, he added. Grinson George, Director, ICAR–CMFRI, said that Professor M. S. Swaminathan was the one who laid the bedrock for bio-happiness. He said that the Marine Fish Stock status that was released in 2022 by CMFRI was being upgraded to include 400 stocks and 196 species. It will be released in October. 

V. Chelsasini, Director of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, and B. Meenakumari Former DDG (Fisheries), ICAR, New Delhi  were present.