ICAR-Central Institute for Coldwater Fisheries Research organized seven-day training on “Applied techniques in coldwater fisheries research” during 03-09 April 2025. The training was attended by 34 students of M.Sc life sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. During the training programme, students were made aware about different research areas in coldwater fisheries through theory and practical classes. Lectures on different topics including classical taxonomy of fishes, important diseases of coldwater fish and its control measures, basic molecular biology and bioinformatics for research in fisheries, Histopathology techniques and its application in life sciences, Coldwater fisheries resource mapping using GIS, integrated fish farming, Aquaphage therapy in aquaculture, rainbow trout nutrition, RAS, rainbow trout breeding etc. Training programme was coordinated by Dr. Neetu Shahi and Dr. Renu Jethi.
A three-day training program on “Coldwater Resource Mapping using Geo-Spatial tools” was conducted at ICAR-CICFR, Bhimtal, from 19-21 February 2025. Six (06) final-year B.F.Sc students from the college of fisheries, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh attended the program, gaining valuable insights into Coldwater resource management and mapping techniques. The participants were trained in satellite data utilization, GIS software handling, creation of shapefiles, GPS field demonstrations, and applications of Google Earth software. They were also sensitized about creating point, polygon, and line shapefiles, followed by digitization processes and map creation. The hands-on sessions equipped the students with practical skills essential for geo-spatial analysis. This training aimed to enhance their understanding of modern tools for sustainable coldwater resource management. The program received positive feedback, with participants expressing enthusiasm about applying these techniques in their future endeavors. Training programme was coordinated by Mr. Pawaiz Ahmad Ganie, Dr Suresh Chandra and Ms. Ananya Khatei.
ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-DCFR), Bhimtal, organized field training during 21-29 November 2024 at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal and EFF, Champawat. It was attended by 11 M.FSc students of ICAR-CIFE. The training programme covered various aspects of coldwater aquaculture viz., fish diseases and their management, nutrition and feeding of coldwater fishes, demonstration of feed mill operation, different aspects of RAS, visit of cage farming and mahseer hatchery at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal. At EFF, Champawat participants learnt about various aspects of trout culture. Training programme was coordinated by Mr. S. K Mallik and Dr. Renu Jethi at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal and Dr. Kishor Kunal and Ms. Garima at EFF, Champawat
ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-DCFR), Bhimtal, organized a three-day training programme on “Health Management in Coldwater Fishes” from 9-11 September 2024. The programme brought together experts and 10 participants from various institutions, providing a platform to discuss critical health challenges in coldwater aquaculture.
The training programme covered various aspects of health management in coldwater fish viz., viral diseases and their management, fish bacterial diseases covering significant bacterial pathogens reported from aquaculture and their treatment, role of bioinformatics in aquaculture, antibiotic alternatives in aquaculture, fungal diseases and their management, practical session on identification of fungal diseases and drug sensitivity assay, prevention and control of nutritional diseases emphasizing the importance of nutrition in fish health. One session was also organised on hatchery management of golden mahseer. The training programme was coordinated by course director Dr. Raja Aadil Hussin Bhatt and course coordinators Dr. Neetu Shahi and Dr. Kh. Victoria Chanu.
A five-day training programme on “Nutrition and feed management in coldwater aquaculture” was conducted at ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research from 05-09 August 2024. The training was attended by 21 participants that include entrepreneurs, students, scientists from different universities and fisheries officers from Fisheries Department, Himachal Pradesh.
Under aquaculture conditions, feed and feeding is a critical determinant of growth, physiological homeostasis, health, survival and flesh quality of the fish. Moreover, as feed accounts for more than 50% of the operational cost, the efficiency of feed conversion into fish biomass determines the unit productivity, culture dynamics and profitability of an aquaculture enterprise. In this context, ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research has been continuously working on developing feeds for the major coldwater fish species. To disseminate the gained knowledge and expertise, ICAR-DCFR organised a 5-days hands on training program for researchers, feed industry personnel and fish farmers.
During the training period, different theory and practical classes on nutrition and feeding of coldwater fishes, digestive physiology of fish, demonstration of fish sampling and biometric measures, demonstration of nutritional biochemistry assays, feed formulation, aquaculture nutrition research and feed development methods, feed ingredient evaluation, and demonstration of feed mill operation were conducted. Training was coordinated by Dr. Biju Sam Kamalam, Dr. Renu Jethi and Dr. Ciji Alexander.
ICAR-DCFR conducted seven days hands on training “CRISPR Editing in Fish” from 27 August to 2 September 2024. The training was attended by 13 participants from various organisations like College of Fisheries, CAU, Imphal; ICAR- CIBA, Chennai: Palmor Bioscience, Telangana; State Fisheries, Meghalaya; Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand. The training programme covered various aspects of gene editing such as sgRNA primer design, Invitro transcription of guide RNA, RNP preparations, qPCR and mutation detection. Two experts namely Dr. Megha Badekar, Principal Scientist and Head of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai delivered lecture on “Application of CRISPR Cas system for viral manipulation: Antiviral therapy” and Dr. Arinze S. Okoli, Research Associate Professor, Norwegian Research Centre, Tromso, Norway delivered lecture on “Importance of Invitro optimization gene editing conditions in CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing”. The training was coordinated by course director Dr. Neetu Shahi, Sr. Scientist and course coordinators Mr. Sumanta K Mallik, Scientist, Senior Scale and Dr Renu Jethi, Sr. Scientist.
A five-day training programme on “Seed production and hatchery management of golden mahseer” was organised at ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research from 10-14 June 2024. During the training period, different aspects of golden mahseer and its resources, environmental impact on mahseer, bio-filter system for maturation and spawning of mahseer in captive condition, health management, angling and ecotourism prospects of mahseer, ex-situ and in-situ conservation of mahseer, ranching and its model guidelines were deliberated and discussed. Trainees also got the opportunity to learn DPR preparation for establishing a mahseer hatchery. Training equipped trainees with the knowledge, skills and best practices necessary for successful seed production, fostering the growth and sustainability of golden mahseer populations. Training was coordinated by Dr M.S. Akhtar, Dr Ciji Alexander and Dr Renu Jethi.
ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR) organized seven-day training on “Applied techniques in coldwater fisheries research” during 23-30 April 2024. The training was attended by 38 students of M.Sc life sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Training was coordinated by Dr. Kh. Victoria Chanu, Dr. Dimpal Thakuria and Dr. Renu Jethi.
During the training programme, students were made aware about different research areas in coldwater fisheries through theory and practical classes. Lectures on different topics including basics of molecular technology, application of synthetic peptides, integrated farming, mahseer hatchery, recirculatory aquaculture system, cage farming, supply chain of rainbow trout, behavioural study of fishes, histology, ornamental fisheries, bioinformatics, important diseases of coldwater fishes, identification of microbes and drug sensitivity assays etc were delivered.
A five-day training on “Histopathological Techniques in Fish Disease Diagnosis” was organised at ICAR-DCFR during 15-19 April 2024. The training was attended by 17 participants including fisheries officials from Himachal Pradesh, researchers and students from different states. Training was coordinated by Dr. Neetu Shahi, Dr. Renu Jethi and Dr. Raja Aadil H. Bhat. The course was designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills in fish histology, covering key topics such as sample collection and preparation, tissue processing, sectioning and staining, common histopathological findings in fish diseases and case studies. Moreover two virtual lectures were delivered on ‘Application of immuno-histochemistry for the detection of infectious pathogens in tissue samples’ and ‘Common histopathological findings in tissue of diseased fish’. Through hands-on training and expert-led sessions, participants gained practical insights into diagnosing fish diseases using histopathological techniques, enhancing their proficiency in aquatic animal health management.
ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (DCFR) organized five-day training on Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) for Intensive Farming of Fish during 11-15 March 2024. The training was attended 19 participants including fisheries officials from Himachal Pradesh, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, research scholars and students from different states. RAS is an efficient and sustainable technology that maximizes fish production with minimal resources. The training was designed to enable scientific implementation of RAS and emphasizes its importance at the national level.
During the training programme, participants were made aware about different aspects of RAS like different designs and models of RAS, water quality monitoring, standard operating procedures and risk management in RAS, design calculations, bio-security, and management of diseases in RAS, feed management, utilisation of RAS effluent as nutrients for agriculture and composting, biofloc technology, and techno-commercial feasibility of RAS along with practical demonstrations. Training was coordinated by Dr. Rajesh M., Dr. Biju Sam Kamalam and Dr. Renu Jethi.
A three-day training programme on “Health management in Coldwater Fishes” was conducted at ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research during 5-7 February 2024. The training was attended by 13 participants, including a progressive farmer, students, researchers, and Fisheries officers from different states, viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. During the training period, different theory and practical classes on viral diseases of coldwater fishes, virological /cell culture techniques, health management in rainbow trout farming, parasites identification, bacterial diseases, nutritional and fungal diseases of coldwater fishes, isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens, identification and molecular characterization of oomycetes pathogens, disease sample transportation and water quality analysis were conducted. Training was coordinated by Dr. Amit Pande, Dr. Suresh Chandra, Mr. Sumanta K. Mallik, Dr. Renu Jethi and Dr Raja Aadil Hussain Bhat.