2020-’21
As a part of the Social Outreach Programme 2021, Faculties of the Research Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in association with the Albertian Foundation visited and handed over an amount towards charity to SAMRAKSHA CHARITABLE TRUST, located at Kacherippady, Ernakulam on 23rd December 2021. The programme was coordinated by the Head of the Department, Dr. Bijoy V. M and the Social Outreach Coordinator, Asst. Prof. Sayeed Mohamed P K.
Samraksha Charitable Trust strives to protect the needy ones in the society, regardless of their caste, creed, color or gender through their well-integrated social and charitable activities in and around Kerala. Without any constraints, they intend to provide help and support of any form for any specific difficulty an individual is experiencing. They acknowledge the fact that every individual has varying needs, and hence assist in all stages of life including education, career, medical illness, shelter or even everyday food.
A fairly good amount of money was contributed both by the faculties and students of the Department and the same was handed over to the charitable trust by Dr. Bijoy. V .M on 23 December 2021 at 12 pm accompanied by the faculties of the Department, Asst. Prof Saeed Mohamed. P.K, Asst. Prof. Sislave. K.S and Dr. Ambily.V. The Student coordinator of this programme was Devikamol from Second M.Sc. Applied Fisheries and Aquaculture.
2019-’20
VEMBANAD FISH COUNT 29-30TH MAY, 2019
The Vembanad Fish Count Survey makes an attempt to quantify fish diversity in central Keralaās Vembanad Lake every year. Volunteers and scientists counted as many as 117 fish species in this year as reported. Coordinators of the fish count,including the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) and the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) jointly organized this year survey. A team of 13 students along with one faculty from our institution
participated in the event.
The date permitted for the Albertās College was on 29 and 30th of May 2019. Students reached on 29/05/2019 evening and attended the Seminar Session which gave brief description of the area and importance of the survey. Mr.Jojo, Director, ATREE, divided the group and selected a captain and vice-captain for each team. Our students were distributed in the three groups for the cruise Southern, Northern and Central Zone, respectively for the Vembanad Fish Count Survey.
On the morning of 30/05/2019 at 05.00am the team joined the cruise into the Vembanad Lake. Students learned the taxonomy of diverse species and analyzed water quality parameters along with survey on the herbs and mangroves distributed along the Lake. Teams observed such a high number of fish species during the survey with areas north of the Thanneermukkam Bundh, including Arookutty, High Court, Poothotta, Murinjapuzha, and Kanakkankadavu being included. Each year only the southern expanse, from Punnamada to the Thanneermukkam Bundh, had been included in the survey.
The survey earned a thorough knowledge about the species diversity, taxonomy, and collection and preservation methods of fish samples including water samples. āAs far as the teaching methods concerned the participation of such kind of field activities improve the basic knowledge and innovative thoughts of studentsā said Namitha Paul of B.Sc.Aquaculture, Final Year student.
HANDS-ON TRAINING ON HYGIENIC FISH HANDLING
AND FISHERY PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT FOR FISHERWOMEN JULY 24th 2019
On July 24th a one day training programme was conducted in St Albertās
College(Autonomous), for women working in the field of fisheries on the topic āHygienic Fish handling and Value Added Fishery Products Developmentā. This was a social outreach awareness programme organized by the Research Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture St Albertās College (Autonomous) in association with NIFPHATT (National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training) a Central Government Organization and SAF (Society for Assistance for Fisherwoman) which is under the state government.
The venue for the inauguration of the training was the Emmanuel Hall of St
Albertās College(Autonomous). The inaugural function took place on 24th July at 9.30AM. Head of the Department Dr.Ajith Thomas John welcomed the gathering and Chief Guest of the day Mrs.Gracy Joseph, Committee Chairperson of Cochin Corporation Planning & Development, inaugurated the function. In her inaugural address pointed the importance of women in the field of fisheries. Assistant Manager and Vice Chairman, Rev. Fr. Jolly John Odathakal, in his Presidential Address stated the rising issue of chemical pollution which is a threat to fisheries related activities. College Principal Dr. M L Joseph, SAAF Nodal Officer Smt.P K Usha, 67 Division Councilor of Kochi Corporation Smt. Gracy Babu Jacob along with Mr. C. Sreekumar, Processing Technologist, NIFPHATT, delivered the felicitations. Programme Convenor, Asst. Prof. Preethi Francis proposed the Vote of Thanks.
BEACH CLEANING PROGRAMME
PARTICIPATION IN CLEAN SEAS CAMPAIGN
Organized by Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, CUSAT and National Center for Coastal Research (NCCR) and MoES Government of India on 21/09/2019 In connection with the International Coastal Cleanup Day
The School of Marine Sciences of Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi has conducted āClean Seas Campaignā at Fortkochi Beach on 21st September 2019, as a part of the āInternational Coastal Cleanup Day ā 2019ā. The programme was held in association with different Institutions and organizations including St. Albertās College (Autonomous), Ernakulam; Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Kochi; South Asia Co operative Environment Programme (SACEP); National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The campaign started at 8 AM in the morning with an inaugural address of Dr. K.N. Madhusoodanan (Vice Chancellor, CUSAT). Prof. Dr. S. Bijoy Nandan (Coordinator and Head, Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, CUSAT), Dr. V.M. Bijoy (Asst. Professor and Senior Faculty Member, Research Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture, St. Albertās College, Ernakulam),Smt. Shiny Mathew (Standing Committee Chairperson, Corporation Office, Fortkochi) Shri. Antony Francis (Councillor, Fortkochi) spoke on the occasion. 22 students and 2 faculty members from the Research Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, St. Albertās College (Autonomous), Ernakulam, Staff and students of Bharat Mata College, Thrikkakara and Scientists from CIFT, Kochi were the participants along with the staff and students of the host Institution, School of Marine Sciences, CUSAT. The waste materials collected from the beaches were gathered in plastic bags and were handed over to the Corporation authorities with proper documentation. The campaign came to an end at around 11.30 AM with a rally of the students and staff members.
FLOOD RELIEF
St. Albertās College (Autonomous) made a generous gesture to provide most needed food materials to the flood affected victims of Eloor. One hundred and fifty families were provided with relief material. Dr. Ajith Thomas John and Dr. Bijoy V.M. and five students from the department along with a team of faculty and students from the college actively participated in the initiative through the stages of packing, transportation and delivery.
ALBERTIAN SWACHATHA MISSION
(Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2016-21)
As a part of Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations 2019 at St. Albertās College,
Autonomous, an Albertian Swachatha Mission was conducted. It was a 5 day program, starting from 28th of September to 2nd October. Each day a different program was initiated, as following:
27th September ā Seminar by students.
28th September ā Swachatha Kudumbam ā #MyCleanHomeChallenge (Before & After).
29th September ā Changathikootam ā a cleaning drive.
30th September ā Swachatha Classroom ā Class cleaning, monthly cleaning time table, department lab, verandah cleaning, awareness programme.
1st October ā Swachatha Kalalayam ā Cleaning of college and premises.
2nd October ā Swachatha Naad ā Cleaning of Banerji Road.
2018-’19
BEACH WASTE DISPOSAL AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
(AS PART OF WORLD OCEAN DAY CELEBRATION)
Organized by – Sea Club, Research Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture Sponsored by – NetFish, MPEDA
As a part of World Ocean Day Celebration, the Graduate and Post Graduate students and teachers of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, St. Albertās College (Autonomous), Ernakulam, in association with NETFISH representing the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Kochi, jointly organized a Social Outreach Programme – āBeach Waste Disposal and Awareness Campaignā on 26th June 2018, at St. Albertās College Seminar Hall which was followed by beach waste removal campaign at Vypin and Fortkochi beaches.
The registration for the programme started by 8.00 am. The official ceremony commenced at 8.30 am in the seminar hall. After invoking the blessings of the Almighty, the awareness programme began with the Welcome speech by Dr. Ajith Thomas John, Head of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The programme was inaugurated by Sri. A. K. Choudhury, Director, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET) by lighting the lamp followed by an inaugural address. College Principal Dr. M. L. Joseph delivered the Principalās Address. Vice-Principal of the college,Rev. Fr. John Christopher Vadassery presented the Presidential Address. Dr. Joice V. Thomas (Chief Executive, NETFISH) and Sri. Santhosh N. K., NETFISH- State Coordinator felicitated the occasion. The formal ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks by Dr. Bijoy V. M., Convenor and Organizing Secretary of the programme.
The formal function was followed by waste removal campaigns at Vypin and Fortkochi beach. Forty five students and 4 faculty members represented by the HoD, Dr.Ajith Thomas John, Convenor, Dr.Bijoy V.M., Smt. Preethi Francis and Sri. Jithu Paul Jacob accompanied by Dr.Joice V. Thomas and Mr. Santhosh N.K. of NetFish-MPEDA, participated in the waste removal campaign. In the morning session from 10.30-1.00PM waste materials were collected in carry bags from Vypin Beach. The trash collected from the beaches were handed over to the Cochin Corporation for safe disposal. In the afternoon session involving waste collection and removal at Fort Kochi beach, Cochin Corporation Councilor, Smt. Shiny Mathew, addressed the gathering of students. Plastic covers, thermocool waste, remains of netting material, plastic bottles, foot wares etc., were collected in 18 bags weighing around 20kg. each. The programme was jointly organized by Sea Club & Conservation Research Group, Research Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture, St. Albertās college (Autonomous), Ernakulam and sponsored by NETFISH-MPEDA.
HOUSE VISITS
The unprecedented floods of August 2018 had affected the livelihood of several of the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the department. To have a firsthand knowledge of their experiences, three faculty members, Dr. Ajith Thomas John, Dr. Ginson Joseph and Sri. Sayeed Mohamed visited the houses of the flood affected students of the department. The team visited the houses of the following students on 5th and 6th of September.
2017-’18
KARMA: A club initiated by the students of the department actively participating to give help to poor cancer patients and the education of their children. The club activities were initiated in the month of June 2016 by cleaning the isolation ward of General hospital. The members are collecting money for their activities by putting one rupee daily in the boxes kept in the classes and also by making and selling fish pickles, fruit juices etc .
Students collected and sold papers for raising fund for KARMA.
Their activities in 2017 ā 18
- Collected Rupees 6000 for the treatment of Mr. Sarath Sasi in Lissie Hospital, Kaloor, Ernakulam in July 2017.
- Collected Rupees 4000 for the treatment of our lab assistant Mr. Thomas Maria in October 2017.
- Collected Rupees 5000 for the house building fund of Mrs. Jolly, our cleaning staff
2016-’17
KARMA:A club initiated by the students of the department actively participating to give help to poor cancer patients and the education of their children. The club activities were initiated in the month of June 2016 by cleaning the isolation ward of General hospital. The members are collecting money for their activities by putting one rupee daily in the boxes kept in the classes and also by making and selling fish pickles, fruit juices etc .
Members of KARMA preparing fish pickles for sale to raise money for their activities.
