At the inaugural session of the first International Fisheries Congress and Expo held at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), VK Ramachandran, Vice Chairman of the Kerala State Planning Board, encouraged fishery scientists to explore crowdfunding as a means to overcome financial constraints in the sector.
Citing the successful crowdfunding model in Japan, which recently supported the development of two commercially viable fish varieties, Ramachandran emphasized the need for alternative funding sources for the fishery sector in Kerala.
Ramachandran expressed concern about the limited availability of funds for the fishery sector in Kerala, despite having nearly 10 lakhs marine fishermen, with over half of them being women. The suggestion to explore crowdfunding comes as an alternative means to ensure a free flow of funds into the sector.
The three-day International Fisheries Congress, organized in cooperation with the College of Fisheries Panangad Alumni Association (COFPA), addresses sustainable practices in fisheries and discusses challenges faced by various stakeholders in the field. The event focuses on incorporating technological and research advancements, including those in biotechnology and genetics, to further boost fishery production in the country.