Mayabunder, June 27: Sri Vijaya Puram Zonal Base of Fishery Survey of India (FSI), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, N&M Andaman district, jointly organized a one-day Workshop-cum-Awareness Programme on ‘Marine Plastic Litter’ at the Fish Landing Centre, Pokkadera, Mayabunder on June 25.
The workshop was inaugurated by Ms. Shweta K. Sugathan, IPS, Superintendent of Police, N&M Andaman as chief guest and addressed the gathering. Ms. Lata Hedge Prasad, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Mayabunder, Shri Rajinikanth Awadhiyar, SDPO and Shri Tulsidas Bhardwaj, Assistant Commandant, Indian Coast Guard, Mayabunder also graced the occasion as guest of honor and delivered felicitation addresses.
Shri Bala Naik, Mechanical Marine Engineer, delivered the keynote address. Shri Tapan Kumar Biswas, Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries, N&M Andaman delivered the welcome address and Dr. C Babu, Fisheries Scientist, Fishery Survey of India, Sri Vijaya Puram delivered the vote of thanks.
A technical session was held, in which Dr. C Babu, Fisheries Scientist elaborated on the effects of Marine Plastic Litter, role of FSI in management of marine plastic litter, and the survey findings of the Organization.
The programme was sponsored by Oil India Ltd. As part of the workshop, various exhibits were displayed at the venue on Pollution by Maine Litter in the oceans, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)- sponsored project on marine mammal stock assessment in India, Effects of Marine litter, deployment of artificial reefs, various fishing gear models and Fish blowups & fishery charts. Fishermen rally and cleanliness drive were also organized by the Fishery Survey of India as part of the programme.