Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, inaugurated the symposium “Aquatic Animal Diseases: Tackling Emerging Challenges and Strengthening Preparedness” at the ICAR Convention Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The event is part of the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF), themed “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific,” held from February 12-15, 2025.
Strengthening Aquatic Animal Health & Biosecurity
Shri Kurian emphasized the importance of nutrition and biosecurity in aquaculture, highlighting sustainable practices as key to food security, livelihoods, and economic growth. He stressed the need for continuous research and innovation in aquatic animal health management and called for a multi-stakeholder approach involving government agencies, research institutions, and industry leaders to enhance disease surveillance, biosecurity, and diagnostics.
Key Discussions & Initiatives
✅ Enhanced Disease Surveillance – Strengthening biosecurity protocols and monitoring systems.
✅ Research & Innovation – Advancing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development.
✅ Regional & National Strategies – Addressing disease outbreaks through proactive measures.
✅ Institutionalizing Fish Disease Surveillance – Developing disease-free zones and integrating surveillance into national policies.
✅ Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – Promoting sustainable biosecurity measures.
Global Collaboration & Future Roadmap
ICAR leaders and international experts from the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and other institutions shared insights on disease prevention, sustainable aquaculture practices, and international cooperation. The symposium reinforced India’s commitment to strengthening aquatic animal health and fostering innovation in the fisheries sector.
