Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore and President, PFGF welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted about the importance of the theme of the conference. In his address, He briefed about the status of inland fisheries in India. He stressed that this conference will deal with important fisheries and aquaculture related topics and provide an inter-disciplinary forum for interaction among experts, researchers, consultants, students, other stakeholders to exchange ideas, share information, build common platforms, and formulate a consensus on how best fisheries and aquaculture sector help in achieving sustainable development goal.

Dr. J. K. Jena, DDG (Fishery Science) ICAR, New Delhi and Chief Guest in his address emphasized on the importance of fisheries sector in Indian agricultural and rural economy. He highlighted that for fisheries and aquaculture SDG goal 2 zero hunger, goal 3 good health & well being, goal 14 life below water and goal 15 life on land are more relevant He said that inland fisheries and aquaculture contributes more than 65% in the fisheries basket of India. He said that aquatic ecosystems, their biotic communities and fisheries are stressed due to increasing water maneuvering, pollution, erratic rainfall and global warming, over-exploitation of aquatic resources, over-fishing. He stressed that with the target of 22 million tons fish production under Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana, time has come for more Investment in this sector and bringing more entrepreneurs. Dr. Riji John, Vice Chancellor, KUFOS and Guest of honour in his address spoke on the importance of fisheries sector in India. He said in 1969 there was only one fishery college in India but now there are thirty colleges. He stressed that Fish is now not only recognized as cheap protein but also as healthier food. With development of technologies, the subject fisheries have changed from capture science to production science.

Shri Bankim Chandra Hazra, Honourable Minister of Sundarban affairs, Government of West Bengal in his address as Chief Guest of the inaugural session highlighted the important role played by fisheries sector in the economic development of West Bengal and India. He said that with important themes like Recent advances in Indian aquaculture for attaining SDGs, Fisheries resource management for sustainable fisheries, Biotechnological Interventions for Improving fisheries production, Health and environment management for sustainable fisheries, Fisheries post-harvest technology and value addition hopefully this conference will discuss and brain storm on prospering sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in India.

Swami Suparnanada Maharaj, Honorary Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata in his address as Guest of Honour hoped that this conference will bring useful guidelines for future. He delivered 4th P. C. Thomas lecture on Civilization, Culture, Science and Religion. In this lecture he discussed about the various thoughts of civilizations, science and religion. He emphasized that Science and Culture are two shades while Science and Religion are two opposite poles. Civilization and science and technology hold all together. Culture is growth of mind while Science is to find out nature external. He spoke about various teachings of Swami Vivekanad.