Latest news with #CIFT
Time of India
04-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Oh buoy! Real-time tsunami, storm predictor goes missing from Veraval coast
Rajkot: A key instrument designed to predict sea conditions, storms, and tsunamis, which was deployed at Veraval coast for six years, has been missing for nearly a month. The wave rider buoy (WRB), an important device that relays real-time information for quick response, was deployed in the sea by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in association with the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in 2019. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The WRB was transmitting data to CIFT Veraval and INCOIS, Hyderabad, regarding ocean wave conditions. Sources said that communication with the device was lost at approximately 3 am on July 8, after which all efforts to recover the instrument failed. Chinnadurai S, principal Investigator of the wave rider project and a scientist, said, "There are two possibilities—it could have drifted away and ended in the deep sea because of the current, or it might be in the custody of someone in the coastal villages. It's not useful for anybody, but it could be sold as scrap." A joint survey was conducted by the CIFT team, marine police, and coast guard, covering up to 30 nautical miles at sea. An aerial survey using a helicopter was carried out between Porbandar and Mul Dwarka near Kodinar, while teams also walked along the shore in villages between Porbandar and Mul Dwarka to locate the device, but without much success. Authorities addressed villagers, requesting them to surrender the instrument if it is in their possession, emphasising that it is a national asset. The search operation is ongoing across a broader coastal area from Porbandar to Diu, with beach walks being conducted in all coastal villages. According to sources, these devices were procured from the Netherlands approximately a decade ago at a cost of Rs 55 to Rs 60 lakh each. The current value of the device exceeds Rs 1 crore.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Green farming takes root in Ponnurunni
Kochi: Heal Ponnurunni, an NGO working towards a green and waste-free locality, has launched a new initiative titled "Cultivating a Carbon-Neutral Future." The project, led by division councillor Dibin Dileep, aims to convert all available land in the division into cultivable, eco-friendly plots. Over the past year, the NGO began cultivation on one acre of land spread across six plots. "With the addition of 20 cents last week, we've achieved our goal of bringing a full acre under carbon-neutral farming," said Dibin Dileep. The project has received support from local residents, Kochi Corporation, the state govt and other agencies. The group initially focused on waste collection and management. "We began by aiming for a completely waste-free division," Dileep said. Waste management was streamlined using the My Kochi app, with QR codes installed in 1,800 homes and institutions. The app provides real-time updates on waste removal and charges, and user fees are collected via POS machines—first implemented in this division within the corporation limits. Waste collection is carried out by Haritha Karma Sena workers. The collected waste is processed into enriched fertiliser and sold under the HEAL Environment brand at Rs 30 per kg. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Heal Ponnurunni has also signed an MoU with the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) to further sustainable waste management. Under the agreement, CIFT will supply BioBoost and MicroBoost, microbial mixtures developed for eco-friendly farming. The institute will also support fertiliser production, testing, and scaling up the HEAL model to other areas. Agricultural produce from the initiative is sold at the HEAL Harvest outlet at the society's headquarters.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck: Fish caught from Kerala coast safe to eat, says CIFT
KOCHI: The fish caught from Kerala coast is edible and there is no chemical contamination, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) director George Ninan has said. Meanwhile, the government of Kerala has roped in leading fisheries research institutes like Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, CIFT and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies to conduct a long-term study regarding the impact of the chemical contamination due to two accidents involving container vessels carrying dangerous cargo. 'The state fisheries minister had convened a meeting after the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 to discuss the fears about chemical contamination. We conducted a preliminary study using the fish and water samples collected by Matsyafed from various harbours from Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram. The test proved the fish was edible and safe. The pH level of sea water collected from the state's coastline was normal. The turbidity level was slightly high because of the monsoon. The fluorescence test also gave positive results. This was a sensory evaluation and we need to have a detailed study to analyse the biochemical parameters,' George said. The remarks come at a time when fishermen and vendors are complaining about a decline in demand for fish in the market. 'Many regular customers stopped purchasing fish after the shipwreck. However, there is a spike in demand for freshwater fish,' said Shinas, a fish vendor in Kochi. The decline in demand for fish came as a blessing in disguise for poultry farmers, as sales jumped by 30% and the scarcity of fresh chicken in the market led to a sharp increase in its prices. 'There has been a spike in demand for poultry chicken after May 25. The market has recorded a 30% rise in sales which has led to scarcity. The production had plunged at the national level due to summer as the mortality rate was high. The wholesale price of chicken which stood at `80 per kg has risen to `125 per kg,' said All Kerala Poultry Federation general secretary S K Nazir.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
CIFT to do testing of fish samples
Kochi: The Kochi-headquartered Central Institute for Fisheries Technology (CIFT) will conduct preliminary testing of samples of edible and commercial fishes from the Kozhikode coast following concerns about the impact of pollution from the shipwreck MV Wan Hai 503. With many fisherfolk and retailers complaining about people not purchasing fish due to fear of toxicity, Matsyafed officials sought the support of CIFT to test the fish samples they collected. CIFT is the national referral agency for certifying food safety for fish and fish products for the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI). "We have sought samples of fish from different areas and will initially conduct preliminary testing to address the immediate fears and concerns of the public. A detailed technical and biochemical evaluation will take some time because it needs to be tested for various chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and other toxic chemicals likely to be found in waters affected by oil spills and chemical discharge," said George Ninan, director of CIFT. He said that following a request from the fisheries minister, CIFT tested 30 samples of edible fishes from the coastal waters of Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram immediately after the first ship sank off Kochi waters on May 25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Morocco (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo The report was submitted to Matsyafed last week. "We conducted some preliminary tests on the water samples and sensory assessment of the fish to check for quality and safety. Water testing included pH, turbidity, and fluorescence. All these parameters were safe. The biochemical testing is ongoing and will take some time," he added. He mentioned that they did not observe any change in pH values, which would have indicated the presence of calcium carbide. There were no fluorescence indicators in the waters to prove oil presence either. "But the long-term impact will need to be studied in detail," Ninan added. Meanwhile, the fisheries department has asked the authorities of the three major fish research institutions CMFRI, CIFT, and Kerala Fisheries University to investigate the long-term impact of these events on marine waters and life and also develop a protocol for the same. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Heal Ponnurunni, CIFT collaborate for sustainable waste management
Kochi: HEAL Ponnurunni Society, which is engaged in sustainable waste management, is collaborating with Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT). CIFT officials and office-bearers of the society signed a memorandum of understanding for sustainable waste management on Friday. In the presence of mayor M Anilkumar, the memorandum was exchanged between CIFT director George Ninan and HEAL Ponnurunni Society president and corporation councillor Dipin Dileep. Ninan explained the technologies developed under Swachhta Action Plan to mayor. To promote environmental protection and waste management in agriculture, CIFT developed BioBoost and MicroBoost (a microbial mixture). As part of the agreement, these products will be provided to HEAL Ponnurunni. CIFT will assist in fertilizer production, testing and expanding HEAL model to other areas. Under the leadership of Dileep, activities of HEAL Ponnurunni Society became a new model for waste management. HEAL model, which involves collecting waste from homes and institutions, converting it into fertilizer and using it for agriculture, gained national attention. Waste management in the division has been made smarter through My Kochi app, with QR codes installed in 1,800 homes and institutions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pistol de sudură laser multifuncțional siginificant Află mai multe Undo Information on waste removal and fees can be accessed through the app. User fees are collected via POS machines, first implemented in this division. Waste collection is carried out by Haritha Karma Sena members. The collected waste is converted into enriched fertilizer and sold under the name HEAL Environment at Rs 30 per kg. Besides selling fertilizer, the society also engages in farming on vacant plots in the division under agreements with landowners. Currently, various crops, including banana and eggplant, are cultivated on 76 cents. Sale of agricultural produce is conducted through HEAL Harvest outlet at the society's headquarters located under Vyttila flyover.
