Fisheries expert B. Madhusoodana Kurup passed away

B. Madhusoodana Kurup, 71, founder vice-chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, died here on Sunday (October 18). The funeral took place. He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Shri Venkateshwara University, Uttar Pradesh.

A specialist in the state’s inland and marine water systems, he documented the aquatic biodiversity of Kerala’s inland waters, including Vembanad Lake. He led the Kuttanad water balance study under the Indo-Netherlands Cooperation Programme, the Indo-Vietnam South-South Cooperation Programme, the Ashtamudi Management Plan and the World Bank-supported India Ecological Development Project.

He served as a member of the Kerala Coastal Zones Authority and chaired expert committees on impacts of monsoon trawl bans, Pokkali-based aquaculture, registration of fishing boats and ornamental fish farming. He also served as an advisor to State Fisheries Minister S. Sarma.

Kurup was due to release his co-authored book ‘Exploring the legacy of fishing and agriculture below sea level: the Vembanad–Kole wetlands of South India’ on 30 October.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Minister of State for Fisheries VE Abdul Gafoor condoled his death.

Published – 18 October 2026 19:30 IST