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ICAR-CIFRI Conducts Five-Day National Training on Fish Stock Assessment

1^st December, 2025
Barrackpore,WB

The ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, successfully organised a five-day national training programme on “Fish Stock Assessment in Data-Poor Inland Fisheries” from November 24 to 28, 2025.

The programme addressed one of the most persistent challenges in inland fisheries management: the lack of reliable, consistent, and comprehensive data on fish stocks, capture patterns, fishing effort, and ecological fluctuations. Recognising that such data gaps often impede effective decision-making, conservation initiatives and the sustainable utilisation of inland resources, the training aimed to strengthen the scientific and analytical skills of fisheries professionals across the country.

A total of 21 participants from fisheries colleges, universities, and research institutions—including Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kochi), Late Shri Punaram Nishad College of Fisheries (Chhattisgarh), CCS HAU (Hisar), WBUAFS (West Bengal), College of Fisheries Dholi, RPCAU (Bihar), and SKUAST (Kashmir)—took part in the programme. Their diverse academic backgrounds enriched the learning environment and facilitated productive peer interactions.

The curriculum covered inland open-water resources, sampling methodologies, and a range of analytical approaches for size-based and empirical stock assessments. Hands-on training was provided on key tools such as FiSAT II and TropFishR, along with specialised modules on fish photography for scientific documentation and truss network analysis. Sessions were led by experts including Dr. G. Dash, Dr. D. Bhakta, Dr. C. Johnson, Dr. P. K. Parida, Dr. Sajina A. M., Dr. S. M. Nair, and Mr. S. K. Koushlesh. Through lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises, participants were exposed to real-world case studies from rivers, floodplains, reservoirs, and estuarine systems across India.

The programme was organised under the leadership of Dr. Basanta Kumar Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, while the efforts of the course director, coordinators, and the technical and support teams ensured the smooth conduct of all sessions. The contributions of Dr. Aparna Roy, Mr. Sujit Choudhury, Mr. M. Roy, Mr. D. Singha, and Dr. Abhishek Saha were especially acknowledged for their role in technical support and coordination. Reaffirming ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to capacity building and sustainable inland fisheries management, the training programme concluded with renewed emphasis on strengthening scientific approaches to resource assessment in data-poor ecosystems.