Cage farmers suffered heavy losses due to a massive fish kill in the Periyar River in May, with a people’s group estimating the losses at over ₹40 crore.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO
Fish farmers in and around Kochi are trying to bury a catastrophic year behind them as they gear up to make up at least a part of their losses during the Christmas-New Year season.
“Fish farmers are hopeful for good returns this season, as sales typically surge. Most are encouraged by the initial response at Ezhikkara, where farmers have grown commercially valuable varieties like pearl spots, trevally, tilapia, and Seabass (Kalanchi),” said M. P. Vijayan, who is coordinating efforts of around 40 farmers in the area.
Cage fish farmers under the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will begin selling freshly caught fish from Sunday (December 22).
Farmers under the supervision of CMFRI have farmed pearl spot, seabass and red snapper in cages with an eye on the festival market. The three-day fish festival is expected to attract hundreds of fish connoisseurs.
Cage farmers suffered heavy losses due to a massive fish kill in the Periyar River in May, with a people’s group estimating the losses at over ₹40 crore.
The fish festival at CMFRI is organised in association with the Blue Pearl Fish Farmers Producer Organisation, Kodungalloor, and sales will continue until Christmas Eve.
The Ezhikkara fish festival too will continue up to the eve of Christmas, with the Palliyakkal Service Cooperative Bank offering an integrated fare for visitors. In addition to freshly caught and cleaned fish, the event will feature a food festival showcasing locally produced ingredients like Pokkali rice, vegetables, and fish.
The festival also features boat rides in the backwaters, organised in collaboration with the District Tourism Promotion Council. “The food festival and fish sales have been successful for nearly a decade, and the farmers have been trained to offer their best catch to visitors,” Mr. Vijayan added.
Published – December 22, 2024 12:49 am IST