The Department of Fisheries observed the Saraswathi Pooja on 19 October 2026, the first such celebration held in the newly opened departmental building.

Dr. Ragavan, an alumnus and current Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, has officially earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.

His doctoral research focused on shrimp fisheries and population dynamics in Jaffna Lagoon, Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on integrating local ecological knowledge into community-based fisheries management.

His research advances understanding of shrimp fisheries and supports sustainable fisheries management in coastal lagoon ecosystems.

Mr. Kalingarajah Harichandra, Technical Officer in the Department of Fisheries Science, University of Jaffna, completed his Master’s degree in Biotechnological Innovation and Applications at INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia, on 2 October 2026.

His research, titled “Genomic Studies on the Complete Chloroplast Genome of Artocarpus and Ficus deltoidea (Moraceae),” focused on chloroplast genomics of selected plant taxa belonging to the family Moraceae.

The study explored chloroplast genome characteristics, contributing to genomic knowledge relevant to plant molecular biology, genetic diversity, and evolutionary research.

Dr. N. Ragavan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries Science, University of Jaffna, is undertaking a Visiting Scientist/Lecturer Program at the ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), Mumbai, and Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), Ponneri, India, from 14 September to 22 November 2026.

The 70-day academic visit forms part of the faculty exchange component of the BIMReN-funded research project, “Sustaining Fisheries Ecosystem in the Palk Bay Region,” supported by the BIMReN Twinning Research Grant 2025–2026, with total funding of INR 5 million.

During the visit, Dr. Ragavan delivers invited lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students, engages in scientific discussions, and participates in collaborative research activities with academic staff and project scientists at the host institutions.

The current visit follows a 20-day faculty exchange completed during October–November 2025. Together, the 2025 and 2026 visits fulfill the faculty exchange component of the BIMReN research project, facilitating academic engagement and collaborative fisheries research between Sri Lankan and Indian institutions.

Mrs. Shobiya Gobiraj, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries Science, University of Jaffna, delivered an invited talk titled “From Evidence to Action: Managing Plastic Pollution in Northern Sri Lanka’s Mangrove Ecosystems” at the Second National Forum on Plastics and Circular Economy, held on 10–11 August 2026 at Monarch Imperial, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Her presentation focused on plastic pollution in Northern Sri Lanka’s mangrove ecosystems, contributing to national-level knowledge sharing and discussions on evidence-based pollution management, environmental conservation, and policy development in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Kalingarajah Harichandra, Technical Officer in the Department of Fisheries Science, University of Jaffna, secured second place in the Short Video Competition titled “Beyond the Mangroves: A Story of Conservation, Community, and Survival,” held in commemoration of World Environment Day 2026.

The Department of Ayurveda Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Community Medicine, in collaboration with the Environmental Committee, Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, organized the competition on 1 July 2026.

The competition highlighted the importance of mangrove conservation, community engagement, and environmental sustainability through creative visual storytelling.

Mrs. Thapeetha Arudselven pursued her Master’s degree in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, from August 2024 to May 2026, under the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP).

Her research, titled “Genetic Divergence and Heterosis in Crossbred Oreochromis niloticus,” investigated the genetic divergence and crossbreeding performance of two commercially important Nile tilapia strains, Chitralada 4 and Super Black.

The study employed DArTseq-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis to assess genetic divergence among broodstock and evaluated the growth performance, morphological characteristics, and proximate composition of purebred and crossbred offspring across breeding, early nursery, and advanced nursery phases.

By examining heterosis and genetic variation, the research provides scientific insights into crossbreeding strategies aimed at improving seed quality, aquaculture productivity, and the long-term sustainability of Nile tilapia farming.

Dr. Gunaalan K., Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries Science, University of Jaffna, is currently undertaking a postdoctoral research appointment at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain, from April 2026 to March 2027.

He is affiliated with the Applied Marine Ecology, Fisheries and Plankton Group (EMAPP) at the Institute of Environmental Studies and Natural Resources (IUNAT), where he works with Associate Professor Rodrigo Almeda, leader of the EMAPP research group.

His research investigates how multiple environmental stressors affect marine meroplankton, with particular emphasis on how climate-related changes and anthropogenic pressures influence larval development, survival, settlement, metamorphosis, and recruitment in marine invertebrates.

V.G.N.L. Gamage received the Dr. Karthigesu Chitravadivelu Gold Medal for best performance in Fisheries Science in the Honors Degree Examination in Science.

The gold medal recognizes outstanding academic performance in Fisheries Science.

V.G.N.L. Gamage received the Best Scientific Award in the thematic track “Sustainable Mangrove Management, Restoration, and Conservation Practices” at the 4th International Conference on Mangroves for Sustainability 2026 (ICMS 2026).

The award recognizes scientific excellence and research contributions to sustainable mangrove management, restoration, and conservation.