Dr. A. R. Thirunavukkarasu is a Retired Principal Scientist & Head, Fish Culture Division, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He obtained his M.Sc and Ph.D. Degrees in Marine Biology from the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University. He started his career as a Research Assistant in the Tamil Nadu State Fisheries Department and then joined as a scientist in the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (Govt. of India), where he served till 1991 and subsequently moved to the CIBA. His specialization include Marine Fisheries Management, Inland Fisheries Development and Brackishwater Aquaculture. He has about 3-decade research experience with over 200 publications including manuals, edited books besides symposium proceedings. He has successfully completed over 20 major research projects worth to the tune of Rs.8-crore, funded by Indo-French scheme, NFDB, NAIP, DBT, NATP, Mega Seed Bank, etc. To the pinnacle of his achievements, during mid-nineties, he has developed a new technique for the induced breeding and seed production in the commercially valuable finfish, Asian Seabass-Lates calcarifer that has revolutionized the Indian Aquaculture industry with the year round sustained supply of seeds. The Seabass seed production technology was transferred to the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA - Govt. of India) and he has been actively involved in the consultancy services to the private agencies like M/S Seabass Hatchery and to the aqua-culturists at large. Subsequently, his research team made a technological break-through for viable land-based brood stock production of Cobia Rachycentron canadum in pond and RCC tank holding systems. Further, he has successfully standardized the techniques and developed protocols for the controlled breeding of Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) through pond reared stock, for the development of land-based broodstock of brackishwater ornamental fishes Scat (Scatophagus argus) and Moon fish (Monodactylus argenteus), controlled breeding and hormone-based sex reversal in Grouper (Epinephlus tauvina), maintenance of captive broodstock of Milkfish (Chanos chanos), etc. Under the NATP Scheme, he has standardized culture technique for the controlled breeding and seed production of shrimps in inland saline water environs. He is the Chairman of Steering Committee for evaluating the status of Inland Fish seed Production, Adviser to the Tamil Nadu government-Task Force on Fisheries Development besides an expert member in many universities and national level scientific committees. He was conferred with Gold Medal Award and Citation by the Aquaculture Foundation of India, Chennai and Hiralal Chowdhry Award by Fishing Chimes. He has visited several countries like Norway, Vietnam, France and Thailand.Dr. P. Perumal is a Professor & Head, Department of Biotechnology, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Prior to his appointment in Periyar University, he had served as a Faculty-Research Associate, Lecturer, Reader and Professor in the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, where he received his Ph.D Degree in 1989. He is also qualified in UGC-National Educational Test, 1985. He has over 30 years of research experience with about 150 publications to his credit. His specialization includes molecular taxonomy and live feed aspects of plankton, fish larviculture and antibiotic principles/drugs from the marine bioresources. He has about 25 years of PG-teaching experience, has successfully guided over 12 Ph.Ds, about 40 P.G. Dissertations and currently guiding many Ph.Ds, M.Phils & M.Sc. students. He has successfully completed many major research projects funded by ICAR, MoEs, DRDO (Govt. of India) and is currently operating a major research project funded by theUGC. He is a member of Academic Council, Senate, Board of Research Studies (of Periyar University), Chairman of PG-Board of Studies in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics (of Periyar University) besides member of Board of Studies in various colleges and universities. He is the Chairman of the Periyar University-Institutional Animals Ethical Committee & Co-ordinator of the Periyar University-Patent Facilitation Centre & Industrial MOU, an expert-member for Projects Review committee of European Commission (EC), Scientist-Member of Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College – Institutional Animal Ethics committee and Scientific Advisory committees besides serving as reviewer/editor for many national & international journals. He is a widely travelled man and has visited countries like China, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, France, Spain and Scotland.Dr. P. Santhanam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. He obtained his M.Sc, M. Phil and Ph.D Degrees in Marine Biology, from the C.A.S. in Marine Biology, Annamalai University. He has over 18 years of research and 8 years of teaching experience with over 90 publications in national and internationally reputed journals, books and proceedings. He has been specializing in the areas of Marine Planktonology & Aquaculture with reference to biodiversity, taxonomy, biology and culture of live feeds (marine microalgae and marine copepods) for fish larviculture. He has successfully guided several PG (35), M. Phil (12) and Ph.D (6) students and currently guiding many research scholars. He has successfully completed many major research projects funded by UGC, DST & DBT (Govt. of India) and is currently operating 2 major research projects funded by the DST & DBT (Govt. of India). He is a member in several scientific bodies and has been serving as editorial board member for over 4 journalsand reviewer for over 20 reputed national and international journals. He has received DST-Young Scientist Award in 2007 and has been expert-member for various committees.
