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New Indian Express
a day 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- 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.
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).
