P.K. Asokan

Dr. P.K. Asokan was a distinguished Principal Scientist at the Calicut Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kozhikode in Kerala. With over three decades of experience in marine fisheries research, Dr. Asokan has made significant contributions to mariculture, fishery biology, and sustainable aquaculture practices. He earned his MSc in Mariculture from Cochin University in 1982 and later completed his PhD from the University of Calicut in 2000.

Throughout his career, Dr. Asokan has led several key projects, including those funded by ICAR, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His research has focused on developing diversified and sustainable mariculture systems, particularly in mussel and oyster farming. He has been instrumental in technology demonstrations, working closely with farmers through participatory and co-management approaches. His work has empowered local communities, including women’s self-help groups, through hands-on training and successful aquaculture ventures. Dr. Asokan’s research contributions extend to biodiversity studies, particularly in assessing the impact of fisheries on marine biodiversity along the southwest coast of India. His work has involved identifying stressed habitats and utilizing size-based indicators for evaluating long-term trends in key fisheries, such as the Indian oil sardine. He has also played a vital role in projects aimed at demonstrating responsible fishing practices, notably in the trawl fisheries of Gujarat State.

In addition to his research, Dr. Asokan has published extensively, with 50 research papers, 10 general articles, and two books to his name. He has also contributed to several high-impact collaborative studies and served on various committees, including the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the KVK of ICAR – Indian Institute of Spices Research in Calicut. Dr. Asokan’s commitment to advancing sustainable aquaculture and responsible fishing practices has left a lasting impact on the industry, both nationally and internationally.

Publications