It is the largest marine shell of a sea snail called Australian trumpet. It’s one of the attractions at an exhibition of marine shells at the three-day ‘Matsya Mela’ which began at TMA Pai International Convention Centre here on Friday.
The shell collector Firoz Ahamed from Alappuzha in Kerala has displayed the shells. Measuring 500 x 800 mm in size this thick heavy shell has pointed spire, long siphonal canal and irregular, prominent and finer spirals. It has creamy yellow to pale yellow colour.
He has in his collection shells of more than 500 species. Of them many have been displayed. There is sun set shell, elephant tusk shell, Indian tibia, striated cone shell and the like.
Mr. Ahamed said he started shell collection as a hobby when he was eight years old. He has been doing it for the past 19 years.
There is a small shell called Nassarius pictus. Another shell called Indian volute is large and resembles a mini hat. The shells were major attraction for many visitors which included schoolchildren.
Recognising the environmental conservation activity the Kerala government presented him with Vana Mitra Award for 2016.
College of Fisheries and other government departments have organised the mela.
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