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Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) for the commercial development of a vaccine targeting Hemorrhagic Septicemia in freshwater fish.

This partnership builds upon IIL’s entry into the aqua business in October 2022, where it ventured into products for the aquaculture health market, focusing on pond management and fish or shrimp gut management. Following this, IIL had previously revealed its commitment to the commercial development of fish vaccines through a collaboration with the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE).

Hemorrhagic septicemia, also known as Aeromonas Septicemia, ulcer disease, or red-sore disease, poses a significant threat to freshwater fish farming globally. Caused by Aeromonas Hydrophila, an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium, this disease is considered a substantial economic challenge in Indian aquaculture. IIL highlighted in a release that all major cultured freshwater fish species in India, including rohu, catla, mrigal, silver carp, grass carp, common carp, medium carps, channel catfish, and eel, are susceptible to this ailment.

CIFA, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institute based in Bhubaneswar, has played a pivotal role in researching and developing a vaccine candidate against Aeromonas Septicemia. Emphasizing the absence of fish vaccines on a commercial scale in the country to prevent aquaculture infections, ICAR-CIFA Director Pramoda Kumar Sahoo expressed satisfaction that IIL has stepped forward for the commercial development of this crucial vaccine.

“IIL is the first in India to get to fish vaccines. We are working on multiple fronts in defining pathways for the commercial development of fish vaccines,” stated K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of IIL, underlining the pioneering nature of this venture. This collaborative effort signifies a significant step toward addressing health challenges in the aquaculture industry, reflecting a commitment to advancing research and technology in the domain of fisheries and aquaculture in India.

The Centre has granted approval for the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park in Sitarganj, Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, as per an official statement. This significant project, set to be constructed at a cost of Rs 44.50 crore, will receive a central government contribution of Rs 40.05 crore through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

The decision to set up the Aqua Park in Sitarganj was endorsed by the Project Appraisal Committee of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, according to an official release. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the approval, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on fish production, as well as the income of farmers and fishermen in the state.

The Integrated Aqua Park will introduce a novel and innovative approach by consolidating various fisheries-related activities at a single location. The components of the park will include a Pangasius and tilapia hatchery, biofloc unit, recirculation unit, ornamental fisheries hatchery and rearing unit, processing unit, training and incubation centre, and a quarantine unit, among others.

The Aqua Park is expected to generate 1.8 crore high-quality fish seeds, produce 250 metric tonnes of fish, and process 2800 tonnes of fish annually. In the initial years, the establishment of the Aqua Park is projected to benefit 5,815 individuals or fish farmers each year, with an increase to 10,445 beneficiaries from the 10th year of the scheme.

This initiative aligns with the broader goal of enhancing fisheries-related activities, boosting production, and creating sustainable opportunities for the farming and fishing communities in Uttarakhand.

Sonamura, October 2: A concerning report of a significant number of dead fish has prompted swift action from local authorities, as they race to determine the cause behind the consecutive days of large-scale fish deaths. Led by Muslem Uddin Ahmed from the Fisheries Department, officials including Khsitish Debbarma and Kamal Haque from Sepahijala District and Sonamura sub-division, along with SDM Manik Lal Das, visited the sprawling Padmadhepa Lake, covering approximately 100 kani area in Sonamura on Monday.

Members of the local fish farming community, represented by the Brothers Group, asserted that a recurring phenomenon of extensive fish mortality during the rainy season has become an unfortunate norm. This year proved to be no exception, with blame directed at the ONGC authority. Fish farmers allege that toxic materials discharged from a nearby ONGC project have contaminated the lake water, leading to the alarming death of fish.

Today, the investigative team made their way to the Padmadhepa Lake area and engaged with ONGC project representatives, including Project Manager Amar Priyo Basumatari. Despite ONGC’s denial of the fish farmers’ allegations, they agreed to cooperate with the visiting team from the Fisheries Department.

Following a comprehensive inspection, officials from the Fisheries Department and ONGC gathered samples of lake water, water from surrounding wetlands, and soil for a thorough investigation. Both ONGC and the Fisheries Department are set to conduct tests on these samples, aiming to uncover the reasons behind the annual mass fish deaths that inflict significant financial hardship on the local community. The joint effort seeks to shed light on the environmental challenges faced by Padmadhepa Lake and its surrounding areas.

In a bid to address the dramatic decline in krill populations—attributed to climate-induced changes and overfishing—Forty international companies, including industry players like Agri-King Nutrition and NovoNutrients, join the Krill Replacement Challenge hosted by F3. This initiative, the fourth of its kind, seeks innovative alternatives for incorporating into aquafeeds.

Krill, a vital component in marine food webs, has witnessed an 80 percent decrease in populations due to changing ocean conditions and regional overfishing. The Krill Replacement Challenge is part of F3’s collaborative efforts involving NGOs, researchers, and private partnerships to promote sustainable practices in the aquafeed industry.

Participants in the contest will present a range of krill replacement products, including black soldier fly larvae, algae, and single-cell proteins. The goal is to identify viable and sustainable alternatives that eliminate the need to harvest krill from the wild for feed ingredients.

Kevin Fitzsimmons, a judge in the contest and professor of environmental science at the University of Arizona, expresses excitement about the diverse products and global interest. The competition aims to showcase existing viable replacements on the market, emphasizing the unnecessary reliance on wild-caught krill.

The next phase involves judges selecting 10 companies for a 12-week comparative feeding trial. Each competitor’s marine-animal free product will be integrated into a plant-based feed for Atlantic salmon, undergoing rigorous testing for traits such as salmon biomass gain and feed digestibility.

For a complete list of participants and their products, visit the F3 website. The announcement of the 10 companies advancing to the feeding trial is anticipated in late October 2023.

Source: The Fish Site