CIFT opens its doors to visitors

Kochi: A visitor taking a look at the products displayed at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi, as part of the foundation day celebrations of the Institute on Thursday: Photo:Vipin Chandran

The laboratories and research centres of the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) had some unusual visitors on Thursday.

The corridors and labs of the Institute, where the access is restricted otherwise, were thrown open to visitors to explore the world of science especially fisheries research.

The occasion was the foundation day celebrations of the Institute, which was established in 1957.

Innovative products made out of fish and fish waste, value-added products which are all set to conquer the taste buds, replicas of fishing vessels including catamarans, plant built canoes, various types of fishing hooks, lobster traps…the scientists explained them all including its application and commercial viability.

At one stage, B. Meenakumari, the director of the Institute, was seen guiding visitors including a foreigner through the labs of the Institute and explaining the facilities that they have at the Institute.

An array of food products developed by the Institute including ready-to eat and ready to cook fish curry, commercially-sterile rice and sardine curry packets and fish fingers were displayed at one department.

Then there were frozen food products, fish food made out of fish waste, sutures and a model of a trawl net displayed. Poster exhibitions were also organised as part of the celebrations.