The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) fishing sector is expected to benefit from the expertise and experience of a fisheries scientist courtesy of the Government of India.
High Commissioner of India accredited to CARICOM Secretariat based in Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa yesterday announced in a release, that the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has received a new fisheries assessment scientist on its technical team from India, under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme expert scheme. He said that this deployment was another addition under its flagship development partnership programme, which forms a major pillar of India-CARICOM relations.
According to the release, Dr Pranaya Kumar Parida, who holds a PhD in Fisheries Resource Management from India with more than 18 years of experience in fisheries research, teaching and extension, was recruited by the Government of India to assume a three-year tenure with the CRFM through the longstanding cooperation programme between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of India.
It informed that Dr Parida will assist the CRFM and its Member States, with fisheries assessment studies, statistical analyses of commercially exploited marine fish stocks, as well as the formulation of fisheries management plans and advice for decision-making. He will also provide training to fisheries biologists, data collectors, and data managers. He will be based at the CRFM office located in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The High Commissioner underlined India’s willingness to work with CARICOM nations on future projects of their interest and priorities and urged all member countries to make use of Dr Parida’s expertise in the fisheries sector.
The Indian scientist is credited with the publication of more than 35 international peer-reviewed research papers, 10 popular articles, and 2 books. In addition, he has been awarded a design patent and has filed another 4 patents as co-inventor. He previously served as Assistant Professor (Fisheries Resource Management) at College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), in India, and has conducted over 50 training programmes for farmers and students from different universities, and government officials from different states of India.
The release pointed out that India has been contributing to various projects in the region’s countries in areas such as infrastructure, transport, health care, solar energy, agriculture, and IT, under its ITEC Programme designed for skill development and capacity building to support the region’s developmental goals which includes the deputation of such experts.
Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, Milton Haughton, remarked, “The recruitment of Dr. Parida to assist with stock assessment studies is expected to provide critical data and information on the state of our fisheries, enabling CRFM Member States to enhance the way they manage the region’s fisheries resources. Through this engagement, the CRFM will continue to work towards strategically improving the sustainable development and management of the living marine resources of the CARICOM and CRFM Member States. The CRFM Secretariat is very grateful for the generous support being provided by the Government of India in making the services of Dr. Parida available to the CRFM Member States.”
