Latest news with #Matsyafed
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Njarakkal Aqua Tourism Centre in state of neglect, footfall slumps
Kochi: The Njarakkal Aqua Tourism Centre, once a vibrant destination that drew domestic and international visitors in large numbers with its engaging farm tourism activities and a scenic appeal, is now in a state of neglect. Abandoned huts, a ruined children's park, deteriorating tin-roofed structures and a defunct Vanchi Island reflect the overall decline, dealing a telling blow to tourism sector in the district. Climatic conditions and govt apathy are pointed out as the main reasons. Located around 14km from the city centre, Njarakkal Aqua Tourism Centre — set up by Matsyafed in 2010 — was a popular hangout spot for Kochi residents, who enjoyed speedboat rides through fish farms, often witnessing leap of fish close to the boats. The daily footfall has dipped from 500 to around 50. At present, the tourism centre mainly offers limited boating facilities — two pedal boats, three rowboats and a solar-powered engine boat. The entry fee is Rs 150, which covers two boat rides and the use of recreational fishing hooks. Visitors used to enjoy the unique fish-leap experience, which too has lost its charm due to a sharp decline in fish population. Damaged bunds around the farm area have also made it difficult to operate speedboats safely. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How To Write Faster for Work (Find Out Now) Grammarly Learn More Undo The centre once featured small huts built in the middle of water, where visitors could enjoy food and relax. Today, all four huts are in a dilapidated state and the service has been discontinued. Although a floating hut was introduced a year ago, it too is damaged now. The children's park is overrun by vegetation. The wooden log bridge connecting the main entrance to the eco-tourism centre is also in a ruined state. The walkway surrounding the farmhouse is no longer usable and visitors are greeted by piles of debris and construction waste left behind following the demolition of small buildings within the centre. "We used to visit this place often. Today we came with family expecting the same charm, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment — there's nothing left to enjoy. No wonder visitors have stopped coming," said Edavanakkad native Raziya. A staff member admitted that footfall halved during Covid and has continued to decline. "There is no attraction left for families, especially those with children. Meanwhile, a nearby private facility offering free boat rides and a toddy shop is drawing away visitors," he said. The food outlet run by Souparnika Swayam Sahaya Sangham is also struggling. "Earlier, over 300 people dined here daily. Now, it's barely 25," said a staff member. Theft of fish by locals is another concern. The authorities recently lodged a police complaint and a probe is under way. The farm primarily cultivates Poomeen (milkfish), Thirutha (grey mullet) and Karimeen (green chromide). It earned Rs 21 lakh in fish sales last financial year. Farm authorities attribute the structures' condition to the area's harsh climatic conditions and lack of govt funding. "The huts were damaged due to flooding from high tide. They need to be rebuilt at a higher elevation. Vanchi Island was also destroyed by high tides. The bunds surrounding the farm are collapsing gradually due to weak soil, which also prevents us from operating speedboats at full speed, as it could further damage them. Reconstructing the bunds alone will require crores," said an official source. A senior Matsyafed official said a Rs 30-crore project is planned across three aqua tourism centres in the state, including Njarakkal. "With this fund, we expect to fully revamp the facilities there," the official added.
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 .
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Fish sales record gradual recovery after a slide triggered by fears of contamination due to shipwreck
Fish sales seem to be gradually picking up in the State after being hit hard by the concerns triggered by the sinking of the cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the Kochi coast on May 25, according to stakeholders in the fisheries sector. The fears among the consumers on whether it was safe to eat the fish had emerged as the sunken ship was carrying 13 containers of hazardous cargo and 12 containers having calcium carbide. The retail sales had plummeted after the incident amidst fears that the pollutants might impact the fish wealth in the Kerala coast. Currently, the government has banned fishing within 20-nautical mile radius of the shipwreck. P. Sahadevan, Managing Director of Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed), said that sales through the agency's retail stores were hit after the shipwreck. 'It had dipped by around 25% compared to the normal times initially. The sale of fish to institutions in larger quantities through our network was hit considerably. However, the situation has improved as sales are picking up gradually now,' he said. Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, general convenor of the All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators' Association, said that prices have recovered after an initial fall following the incident. 'Mackerels are now selling at ₹200 a kg while medium-sized sardines cost ₹150 a kg in the retail market. In the initial days after the shipwreck, prices of a kg of mackerels and sardines had gone down below ₹100,' he said. Charles George, president of the Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedi, a union of independent traditional fishermen, said that they have cancelled a 'fish fest' planned at the Kalamukku fishing harbour in Vypeen on June 7, 2025 based on the inference that the confidence has returned among the consumers that it was safe to eat fish. 'The fishermen had reported good catch and sales over the last two days,' he said. The fest was planned to instil confidence among the public that it was safe to consume fish.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kudumbashree premium cafe opens at Panmana
A premium cafe with a range of authentic seafood delicacies available at affordable prices has now opened in Panmana grama panchayat. This venture, the first in the district under the Kudumbashree network, was inaugurated by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Tuesday. The aim of the project is to transform the area into a food hotspot serving fish dishes. The cafe provides employment for 80 people and has dining capacity for the same number. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian sadya (feast), biryani, Arabian and Chinese dishes, and fast food items are available at the cafe. Ashtamudi prachikkari, kanambu mappas, kallummakaya mappas, Ashtamudi karimeen pollichathu, chippi roast, kanava 23 and chemmeen malhar are part of the menu. The signature dish of the cafe is special Desinganadu meen sadya (fish feast) featuring four types of fish, prawns, and crab. While Sujith Vijayan Pillai, MLA, presided over the event, district panchayat president P.K. Gopan, Matsyafed chairperson T. Manoharan, Chavara block panchayat president Santhosh Thuppasseri, and Panmana grama panchayat president P. Sreekala were also present.
