B. Madhusoodana Kurup, 71, founding Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, passed away here on Sunday (October 18). The funeral was held. He had also served as Vice-Chancellor of Shri Venkateshwara University, Uttar Pradesh.
A specialist in the State’s inland and marine aquatic systems, he had documented the aquatic biodiversity of Keralam’s inland waters, including Vembanad Lake. He had led the Kuttanad Water Balance Study under the Indo-Dutch Cooperation Programme, the Indo-Vietnam South-South Cooperation Programme, the Ashtamudi Management Plan and the World Bank-supported India Eco-Development Project.
He had served as a member of the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority and chaired expert committees on the impacts of monsoon trawling bans, Pokkali-based aquaculture, fishing boat registration and ornamental fish farming. He had also served as adviser to State Fisheries Minister S. Sarma.
Kurup was scheduled to release his co-authored book, ‘Exploring the Legacy of Fishing and Farming Below Sea Level: Vembanad–Kole Wetlands of Southern India’, on October 30.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and State Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor condoled his death.
Published – October 18, 2026 07:30 pm IST
