National Conference “PONSHRIMP” - Dr. MGR FC&RI, Ponneri

Ponshrimp ’20

Dr. MGR, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri, a constituent unit of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University organized its annual National Conference “PONSHRIMP” in the theme of soil & water quality management for sustainable shrimp farming in virtual mode on 23.9.2020.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. G. Sugumar, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University in the presence of the Chief Guest, Mr. A. Antony Xavier, Director, Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Chennai and Dr. B. Ahilan, Dean & Convener, Ponshrimp ’20. The Vice Chancellor in his inaugural address stated that the MPEDA has fixed target for seafood export as Rs. 1 lakh crore by 2030. As vannamei contribute the majority of total shrimp export, he emphasized the need for a major focus on vannamei farming.

Understanding the basics and maintaining the culture system at optimum soil and water quality condition to increase the shrimp production. The chief guest in his address stated that identification and mapping potential area suitable for shrimp farming; developing the breeding protocol of various candidate species for coastal aquaculture & developing a simplified ETP model for aquaculture are the critical need of hour to develop coastal aquaculture in a sustainable manner. Dr. M. Muralidharan, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, Dr. C.B.T. Rajagopalasamy, Professor & Head, Department of Aquaculture, FC&RI, Ponneri, Mr. Balakrishnan, Shrimp Farm Entrepreneur, Ramnad, Mr. A. Kumaresan, Senior DGM & Marketing Head, Shen Long Bio-Tech (India) Private Ltd., Mr. G. John Bosco, Shrimp Farm Consultant, Pattukottai have delivered lectures. In total, the technical
session consisted of five presentations, covering highly essential aspects of soil & water management such as day to day water quality monitoring protocol, importance of ORP, mineral demand and its applications, significance of algal bloom and principles & practice of biofloc technology in shrimp farming.

The queries and doubts raised by the participants were clarified by the speakers at the end of the session. The event concluded with the proposal of vote of thanks by Dr. D. Manikandavelu, Co-convener of the event. Nearly 170 members including farmers, entrepreneurs, students, faculty of various academic & research institutes and faculty of the host institute participated in the event. Mrs. Aruna, Assistant Professor organised the events of this conference.