Cusat event stresses role of fisheries sector

Kochi: In Kerala, all of us are, in some way, part of marine ecosystem. Fisheries sector plays a significant role in the state's economy and it contributes substantially to country's GDP," said high court judge Justice Devan Ramachandran.He inaugurated the curtain-raiser programme of golden jubilee celebrations of school of industrial fisheries (SIF) at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) on Thursday.Justice Ramachandran unveiled the logo of golden jubilee celebrations.When MSc course in industrial fisheries was introduced in 1976, it was one of its kind and aimed to provide qualified manpower for seafood industry, as well as help the sector meet its challenges. "This was the first time that an industry's requirement was met through a scientific programme. The course was designed with five areas, which included capture fisheries, aquaculture, economics, management and food processing. Almost 50% of the people who graduated from SIF went into industry and the remaining went on to join fisheries research and govt institutions," said B Madhusoodana Kurup, former vice-chancellor of Kufos, alumnus and former director of SIF.As part of the yearlong golden jubilee programme, there will be a series of academic, professional, cultural, outreach and commemorative events under the theme: Fifty Years of Excellence in Fisheries Education, Research, and Industry Partnership.SIF will establish a Golden Jubilee Endowment Fund, strengthen infrastructure including laboratories and smart classrooms, create centres of excellence in priority fisheries sectors and institutionalise annual lectures, scholarships, fellowships and awards.