Sri Vijaya Puram, May 18: The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, in collaboration with the Fisheries Survey of India (FSI), observed Endangered Species Day on 15 May 2026 at FSI, Sri Vijaya Puram. The workshop-cum-awareness programme sensitized 55 fishermen from Puducherry, along with college students and research scholars from Pondicherry University, on the conservation of marine endangered species.
Dr. M. Muruganandam, Principal Scientist and Head, Fisheries Science Division, ICAR-CIARI, as Chief Guest delivered an awareness lecture on the status, conservation, and management needs of endangered aquatic species. He highlighted the rich diversity of aquatic ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, estuaries, rivers, open oceans, and coastal habitats supporting marine mammals, fishes, crustaceans, molluscs, seaweeds, and gorgonids.
Dr. Muruganandam discussed the range of endangered species, causes of endangerment, and the urgent need for strengthened conservation efforts supported by scientific technologies, policy frameworks, and community participation. Explaining the concept of “Fishing Down the Ocean,” he outlined the impacts of climate change, marine pollution, habitat destruction, and overexploitation on marine biodiversity. Referring to the critically endangered Vaquita and global conservation initiatives, he called for responsible fishing practices to reduce bycatch and accidental entanglement of threatened marine fauna.
He emphasized the importance of seagrass rehabilitation for dugong conservation, protection of turtle nesting beaches, fishing regulations to conserve sharks and rays, and reef restoration measures to enhance coral reef resilience. He further highlighted scientific technologies and management approaches required for sustainable conservation and outlined ICAR-CIARI’s contributions towards protecting endangered aquatic resources through research, citizen science, and community participation.
Earlier, Shri Balanayak, Marine Mechanical Engineer, FSI, welcomed the participants and stressed the need for collaborative conservation action. Dr. C. Babu, Fisheries Scientist, FSI, highlighted the significance of Endangered Species Day and FSI’s role in marine conservation, while Dr. Mrinal Kumar Das, Scientist-D, Zoological Survey of India, explained scheduled marine species and their identifying features.
Dr. P. Govindasamy, Deputy Director, Fisheries Department, Puchucherry discussed the fisheries scenario in Puducherry, translated the discussions into Tamil for fishermen, and emphasized marine conservation. Mr. Nesnas, Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries, Sri Vijaya Puram, requested more such awareness programmes.
The fishermen expressed strong support for responsible and conservation-oriented fishing practices and suggested that fishing holidays and gear restrictions should be periodically reviewed based on scientific assessments and changing climatic and fishery conditions. The programme concluded with a shared commitment towards sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity conservation.