The Fish for All Research and Training Centre at Poompuhar – an initiative under the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), celebrated its 14th anniversary with events organised on Thursday.
Several new initiatives were launched on the occasion like the Home-shed Mini Solar Dryer. This is designed for fisherwomen to use their homes to dry fish hygienically and in an environmentally friendly way, thereby improving marketing opportunities. The initiative is supported by the Indian Overseas Bank.
An exclusive Helpline facility for fisherwomen was also inaugurated with Reliance Foundation and USAID and will address queries about post-harvest fishing linkages and disconnects, etc. Digital tools (Tabs) were also distributed to the fisherwomen, and several youths from coastal villages who volunteered to remove discarded ghost gear from the sea and shoreline were felicitated. Further, MSSRF and ICAR – Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) signed a MOU to collaborate on training and research.