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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- 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.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
ICAR-CIFT, Heal Ponnurunni Society sign pact
Heal Ponnurunni Society, which has set a model in sustainable waste management, and the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). ICAR-CIFT director George Ninan and Heal Ponnurunni Society president and Kochi Corporation councillor Dipin Dileep signed the MoU in the presence of Mayor M. Anilkumar. Mr. Ninan explained the technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT under the Swachhta Action Plan. ICAR-CIFT has developed Bioboost, a bacterial consortium and compost, and Microboost, a consortium for waste management for environmental protection and ecological farming. As part of the agreement, these products were handed over to Heal Ponnurunni Society. ICAR-CIFT will assist the society in expanding its activities across more areas. The Heal Ponnurunni Society's project of collecting waste from households and establishments and turning it into organic manure for farming has received widespread attention and won recognition at various national and local conclaves. The manure being marketed by the brand name Heal Environment is sold for ₹30 per kilogram. The society also undertakes farming on vacant plots in the division based on an understanding with landowners. At present, farming is under way across 76 cents. Crops thus cultivated are being sold through the society's Heal Harvest outlet near the Vytilla flyover. Residents in the division can contact the society for issues like waste movement through its call centre (Ph: 8139060345).
