Policy for the Management of Aquatic Food Resources

Policy for the Management of Aquatic Food Resources

Policy for the Management of Aquatic Food Resources
Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for the Management of Aquatic Food Resources” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  2. Purpose
    1. This policy promotes the sustainable use and sourcing of food from aquatic ecosystems, including fish, shellfish, and other marine and freshwater resources. Its goal is to ensure that aquatic food sourcing supports biodiversity, maintains ecosystem health, and contributes to long-term food security.
  3. Scope
    1. All seafood and aquatic food products purchased, served, and processed.
    2. All suppliers, contractors, and partners involved in the harvesting, processing, or distribution of aquatic foods.
    3. Activities related to aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries.
  4. Goals
    1. Source aquatic food only from sustainable and legal fisheries or aquaculture operations.
    2. Avoid species that are endangered, overexploited, or caught/produced through destructive practices.
    3. Promote traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain.
    4. Support local and small-scale fisheries that follow responsible practices.
    5. Educate staff and suppliers about sustainable aquatic food sourcing.
  5. Implementation Measures
    1. Responsible Sourcing
      1. Prioritize products certified by credible sustainability standards (e.g., MSC – Marine Stewardship Council, ASC – Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Friend of the Sea, or equivalent).
      2. Avoid sourcing from fisheries identified as illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU).
      3. Exclude species listed as threatened or endangered under the IUCN Red List or national protection frameworks.
      4. Promote use of underutilized, abundant, or locally available aquatic species to reduce pressure on overfished stocks.
    2. Supplier Requirements
      1. Require suppliers to demonstrate compliance with sustainable fishing or aquaculture practices.
      2. Include sustainability criteria in procurement contracts.
      3. Encourage suppliers to implement waste minimization, efficient energy use, and responsible feed sourcing in aquaculture.
      4. Conduct periodic audits or request documentation verifying the legality and sustainability of sourced products.
    3. Internal Practices
      1. Provide staff training on sustainable seafood procurement and handling.
      2. Offer sustainably sourced seafood options in food services or catering operations.
      3. Promote awareness campaigns among consumers and stakeholders on the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems.
  6. Monitoring and Reporting
    1. Maintain records of all seafood purchases, including species, source, and certification status.
    2. Conduct annual reviews to assess progress toward sustainable sourcing goals.
    3. Report on sustainability performance in the organization’s ESG or sustainability disclosures.
  7. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  8. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provision mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  9. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.