- Two equipment were transferred to Govt. of Kerala from ICAR-CIFT, Cochin;
- Real time PCR machine – AB 7500 Serial No 275008241 (CIFT ref No. CMFRTS001) with accessories (96 well adapter) was sent to State Public Health Laboratory, Trivandrum on 3/04/2020.
- Refrigerator – Samsung Make RT45LTS/2010 (CIFT ref. No. CMFFD006), 457L Capacity, Double Door, was sent to National Institute of Virology, Alappuzha on 30.03.2020.
- Impact assessment of COVID-19 and lock down on Harvest and Post Harvest Sector of India was studies in consultation with all stakeholders like fishermen of both mechanised, motorised and non-motorised sectors; fish processors, exporters, development agencies, etc and a detailed report was submitted to the Council
- To make a further in depth analysis of the impact of lockdown a questionnaire has been developed and a rapid survey is being conducted from respondents from fishing and processing sectors. The information will be analysed for arriving at a quick estimate of losses to the sector. Impact assessment of COVID-19 and lock down on Harvest and Post Harvest Sectors specific to states is also being prepared.
- Arrangements were made for distribution of 14 FRP boat to inland fishermen under SCSP plan, soon after the lockdown.
- In the background of complaints of large scale adulteration of fish by formalin and Ammonia, CIFT is planning to start production of test kits for distributing to food safety inspectors/exporters/state govts, etc as HiMedia laboratories factory is shutdown at Mumbai and all are facing shortage of these kits.
- Providing technical support to Kerala State Food Safety commissionerate in addressing the issue of quality and safety of fish sold in the states. This was necessitated as large quantities of adulterated and spoiled fish is being dumped into the state from neighboring states as there is huge demand for fish.
- CIFT will start testing of fish/shellfish samples from seafood exporters, as they are facing lack of analytical facilities in private sector. This is hampering their exports. So all our laboratories in Mumbai, Veraval, Visakapatnam and Cochin will start functioning with few staff taking all precautions.
- Prepared 8 advisories for the benefit of fishermen; people working in fishing harbours and landing centres; processing plants, fish markets, etc on precautions to be taken to stay safe.
- All 8 advisories are translated to 10 different languages; viz. Gujarathi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Odiya, Bengali, Assamese and English for wide publicity to bring awareness
- A seaweed-based hand sanitizer was developed as a preventive hygienic measure to control the spread infection affecting the people massively all over the world. The formulation of the developed product includes isopropyl alcohol (above 60%) possessing antimicrobial activities, seaweed extract from red algae constituting chemical components with pronounced antiviral properties. The seaweed component was also used as an emulsifying agent. Aloe vera gel was used as a moisturizing agent. The developed hand sanitizer was distributed among staff of ICAR –CIFT, Cochin and also people from economically poor background.
- Technology to produce hand sanitizer based on seaweed and also on succynyl chitosan was transferred to Kerala Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd, Cochin and demonstrated the technology to the firm. The firm is manufacturing the sanitizer in large quantities and distributing to public at present.
- Govt. of Kerala has requested CIFT to provide technical guidance for setting up of fresh fish storage facility to manage the glut caused by unavailability of purchasers for fish. We have suggested the use of Reefer container based fresh fish storage system. We have provided all technical details and will supervise the erection and maintenance as and when required to ensure preservation and storage of excess catch.
- Recommendations to tide over market price fluctuations and to withstand the emergencies such as the national and international lockdown periods, meet future export and domestic market needs by increasing the Aqua products processing and cold storage infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh through setting up of additional integrated IQF Shrimp Processing Units and Cold Stores was given to Govt. of AP.
- All staff members of the Institute and other stakeholders are advised to download and install Arogya Setu mobile App. Link has been forwarded to all of them.
- Farm advisory services have been provided by means of telephone, Whatsapp and email to all stakeholders including fishers and entrepreneurs.
- The scientists/ technicians of the Institutes both at HQ and regional centres are in constant contact with the fishermen and processors about precautions to be taken.
- Director and HOD, FT attended a Zoom meeting of the Technical Committee setup by the Government of India for “Reviewing the duration of fishing ban period and to suggest measures to strengthen the conservation and management measures” to suggest measures on fishing ban duration in the context of the lockdown, on 08.04.2020 at 12 noon.
- Supporting KVKs and State Agricultural Department in their efforts to distribute fruits, vegetables and fish at door steps through the farmers and fishers/fish vendors.
- \ Provided guidance to Women fishers of Roing (15 hamlets) of Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh; Women fishers of Thungbali and Umladhkur of Amlarem Block of West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya and Women fishers in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh
- Aquaculturists in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are given constant guidance in managing their farms and testing facilities at ICAR-CIFT are kept open for WSSV for the benefit of farmers.
- Regional centres of CIFT have distributed Sanitizers, masks and gloves to the fish vendors in the local fish markets.
- Regional centres of CIFT have distributed ammonia and formaldehyde detection kits to the fish vendors.
- Many of our scientists are taking online lectures to the students from various fisheries colleges
- Scientists are in the process of formulating new research project proposals for getting funding from external sources on topics related to strategies for mitigating situations like COVID-19 in future.
CIFT to support the Incubatees / Entrepreneurs / Start-Ups
- Contacted all the active incubatees/start ups under the ABI unit and collected information regarding the problems they face on account of COVID outbreak and lock down. As in other sectors, they face problems in marketing the stock (as in the case of dry fish), shortage in labour supply, lack of transportation and raw material.
- As a mitigative measure, the pilot plant facility of the institute will be provided for the incubatees to resume the processing activities and avoid disruption of production.
- The incubatees are also provided with linkages to local KVK and state departments for marketing through the government distribution channels.
- The quality checks and the other services viz., shelf life studies, nutritional profiling will be provided to the incubatees.
- The ABI unit is in constant touch with the clients through online platforms and help them to solve the technical problems and answer their queries related to production and marketing
- The mentors associated with ABI are available for consultation regarding specific problems faced by incubatees.