Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 10: Fishermen in South Andaman received training on hygienic fish handling, contamination prevention and post-harvest practices during a two-day programme held at the Fish Landing Centre in Junglighat on September 8 and 9, 2026.
The programme, organised by the Department of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, under the 2026–27 District Action Plan of the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) for South Andaman District, focused on improving practices that help maintain fish quality and freshness from fishing through post-harvest handling.
The training was coordinated by Hemanto Kirtonia, In-Charge of the Fish Landing Centre, Junglighat, with technical support from the Department of Food Safety, Fishery Survey of India (FSI), Zonal Base, Sri Vijaya Puram, and Sagar Mitras.
On September 8, Food Safety Officers Saikat Paul and Bijoy Kumar Mondal, along with Assistant Fisheries Development Officer Soumyadip Paul, conducted sessions covering hygienic handling, sanitation, fish freshness and measures to prevent contamination and food poisoning.
Participants were also instructed on the importance of personal hygiene and maintaining cleanliness in areas used for handling fish, as well as in equipment and containers. The sessions focused on practical measures intended to reduce risks during fishing and subsequent handling of the catch.
The second day shifted to practical post-harvest techniques, with Junior Fisheries Scientist Puran Singh and Senior Scientific Assistant Kausubh Bargode from the FSI Zonal Base, Sri Vijaya Puram, conducting a session on tuna fish cutting, handling and preservation.
The practical training addressed methods for limiting quality deterioration while maintaining hygiene and extending the shelf life of fish.
The programme concluded with participation certificates being issued to all 20 participants. The organisers also provided essential hygiene materials, including hand gloves and hand sanitiser, to support the adoption of the practices covered during the training.
The initiative formed part of the South Andaman District’s DAP 2026–27 under ATMA and brought together fisheries, food safety and fishery-survey personnel to provide both technical guidance and practical training on fish handling.
