Organizing Committee

With over 30 years of research experience, served as Director of ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources. Recognized among the top 2% scientists globally (Stanford University and Elsevier, 2026). His has contributed broadly in  characterization of fish germplasm from inland and marine ecosystem, conservation biology, and sustainable management of the resources. He developed a framework for assessing ecosystem and species vulnerability to climate change, introducing new methods, indices, and models to support climate-smart fisheries and aquaculture. He co-coordinated major national programs like the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD), Deep Sea Mission Project-NBFGR and the Indian Network for Fishery Animals Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR). He led the team in developing the ReportFishDisease App and the therapeutic formulation OoNil to benefit fishers and farmers. Honored with prestigious awards, including NAAS(National Academy of Agricultural Sciences) Fellow, Hony Fellow of Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research and the Government of India's e-Governance Award, Prof A.G. Sathyanesan Award, fellowships from the Inland Fisheries Society of India (IFSI), Bioved Research Institute and received SKSS Life time achievement award 2025. He has published over 300 research papers, 11 books, 8 policy documents, 3 fish diversity atlases, and 5 databases with citations of over 7000 and i10-index 150 and h-index 45.

Master of Science in Ecology and Sustainable Development, National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP) Doctorate in Environment and Sustainable Development, National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP) Institution: National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP) Faculty of Biological Sciences / Academic Department of Hydrobiology Areas of Expertise: Aquatic ecology; ecology of Amazonian fish; management and assessment of fishery resources; Amazonian aquaculture; management and assessment of biodiversity resources; pollution in aquatic ecosystems; climate change (mitigation and adaptation); and the management of Protected Natural Areas, with an emphasis on regionally administered protected areas (Regional Conservation Areas – ACR). Management of fishery resources involving *mestizo* and Indigenous populations. JAVIER DEL AGUILA CHAVEZ Associate Professor (full-time, exclusive dedication), Faculty of Biological Sciences – Academic Department of Hydrobiology. Head of the laboratories for the Academic Department of Hydrobiology. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1277-5431 Education/Qualifications: Biologist, PhD in Environment and Sustainable Development Institution: National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP), Iquitos – Faculty of Biological Sciences (FCB), Academic Department of Hydrobiology.

Dr A D Diwan is the former Assistant Director General (ADG) in the Fisheries Division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, New Delhi. Before assuming this position, he was a Professor and Head of the Fish Genetics & Biotechnology Division and a Dean (Faculty of Fishery Science) at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) a Deemed University, in Mumbai. He started his career as an Associate Professor in the Centre of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Mariculture, an ICAR/UNDP project of the Government of India at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi. He specializes in animal physiology and neuroscience with a vast background and experience in marine and oceanic fisheries and mariculture, and has published more than 140 research papers of both national and international repute. He has also edited and authored several books on physiology, biotechnology, microbiomes, and fisheries. He has guided several Ph.D. students and two of them have been honored with the ICAR Jawaharlal Nehru Award for excellent Post-Graduate Agricultural Research and Education. He is also a recipient of the Bharat Ratna Dr. C. Subramaniam Best Teacher National Award of ICAR, Govt. of India, New Delhi. He has served as a member of the boards of many national and international committees. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Environmental Biology, the National Academy of Nature Conservator, and the Bioved Research Society. He worked as UGC Emeritus Professor at the Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) University of Health Sciences, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, he was selected as a scientist expert for writing a specialized reference book on shrimp biotechnology. Presently, he is continuing as an emeritus professor at the MGM University of Health Sciences in the Department of Biotechnology, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.