Tuna Fish Cluster
Context:
Recently, The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified the Development of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
More on the News
- Tuna Cluster are being developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer around 6.0 lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly Tuna and Tuna like high valued species, estimated at 60,000 metric tons.
About Tuna fish
- Tunas are pelagic fish, as they live beyond the continental shelf in open sea.
- These marine animals are integral to the diet of millions of people and are one of the most commercially valuable fish.
Significance of the Cluster
- Cluster is expected to generate economies of scale, increase incomes, and accelerate organized growth in fisheries across the country.
- The initiative will prioritize key investments, including organizing investor meetings to build partnerships with tuna-fishing nations and establishing training, capacity-building programs, and exposure visits for stakeholders.
Exercise AUSTRAHIND
Context:
India is hosting the 3rd edition of the annual joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND.
More on the News
- The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 8th to 21st November 2024 at Foreign Training Node, Pune in Maharashtra.
- The Indian contingent comprising 140 personnel will be represented mainly by a battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and 14 personnel from the Indian Air Force.
- The Australian Army contingent comprising 120 personnel will be represented by the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade of 2nd Division.
- It aims to enhance interoperability in the conduct of joint subconventional operations in semi-urban environments of semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
- The exercise will be conducted in two phases – combat conditioning and tactical training phase and validation phase.
ICAR-NRC Equine to Get WOAH Reference Laboratory Status
Context:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, (ICAR-NRC) laboratory to receive WOAH Reference Laboratory status.
More on the News
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has facilitated the designation of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar (ICAR-NRC Equine) as a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Equine Piroplasmosis.
NRC Equine will now play a key role in international collaborations, providing advanced diagnostic services, sharing technical expertise, and leading research initiatives on equine piroplasmosis.
This recognition makes ICAR-NRC Equine the fourth laboratory in India’s Animal Husbandry sector to receive WOAH Reference Laboratory status.
The other three laboratories are:
- ICAR- National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal (Avian Influenza);
- Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bangalore (Rabies);
- ICAR- National Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bangalore (PPR and Leptospirosis)
The official designation of ICAR-NRC Equine as a WOAH Reference Laboratory will be formally announced at the 92nd WOAH General Session and World Assembly of Delegates in May 2025.
India’s Equines Livestock
- According to the 20th Livestock Census, India possesses around 0.55 million Equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules) of which 0.34 million horses and ponies, 0.12 million donkeys, and 0.08 million mules.