The first operational workshop of the project “All India Network Project on Fish Health (AINP_FH) was conducted during 11-12 February, 2016 at ICAR-CIFT, Cochin. Twelve scientists and 12 research fellows from the participating institutes including ICAR-CIFT participated in the workshop. The programme was opened with the welcome address by Dr. T. V. Sankar (Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT) followed by a general discussion about the project and talk by Dr. P.K. Patil (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIBA). Dr. K. Ashok Kumar (Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFT) discussed the working principle and method development for the detection of antibiotics in aquatic samples by LC- MS/MS.  

The afternoon session included an official address by the directors of ICAR-CIBA and ICAR-CIFT. Dr. C.N. Ravishankar (Director, ICAR-CIFT) emphasized the importance of operating in network mode for getting maximum benefit for the institutes. He said that the project is highly relevant to the current situation as the use of antibiotics in aquaculture is increasing day by day and ICAR-CIFT being an accredited institute as per ISO/IEC 17025:2005, it will be a wonderful opportunity for utilizing the facility for the benefit of the project. In the address, Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA pointed out the lack of credible data on antibiotic usage in aquaculture and mentioned the importance of networking and sharing of data between institutes. He mentioned that the project is significant in this context and through good networking and combined efforts a complete database on antibiotic usage in aquaculture in India can be developed which could be used as a benchmark on antibiotic usage. This was followed by presentations by the co-institutes. Dr. T.J. Abraham (PI, WBUAFS), Dr. B.K. Das (PI, ICAR- CIFA), Dr. Ritesh Tandel (PI, ICAR-DCFR) and Dr. S.K. Manna (PI, ICAR-CIFRI) presented the progress of work in the respective institutes as part of the network project.

On the second day, the programme started with the presentation by Dr. T.V. Sankar (PI, ICAR-CIFT) followed by Dr. P.K. Patil (PI, ICAR-CIBA). An exposure training on the extraction of antibiotic residues from aquatic samples as per standard procedure optimized in ICAR-CIFT was carried out for the benefit of the scientists and research scholars. The analysis of extracted sample by LC-MS/MS was demonstrated by Dr. K. Ashok Kumar in the afternoon session. The workshop concluded by valedictory function. After a brief summing up by Dr. Patil, Dr. Sankar extended the vote of thanks to the participants.