Matsyamela from tomorrow

You can relish mouth-watering dishes made out of fish recipe, see various ornamental fish and shells and also try your hand in angling during the three-day Matsyamela that starts on Friday. While a major part of the activities will happen at the TMA Pai Convention Hall, the angling event will be held at the Dr. Shivarama Karanatha Pilikula Nisargadhama on Saturday.

The event is being organised jointly by the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, the Department of Fisheries, the National Fisheries Development Board and the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, S.M. Shivaprakash, Director of Extension, Fisheries College, said that the programme will give an outlook of the Indian fisheries sector. Apart from presenting various developments in fisheries and aquaculture industry, the event will help connect institutions with farmers, fishermen and people.

Among the highlights of the event include an exhibition of various types of aquariums available in the market. This includes the hi-tech natural aquarium priced around Rs. 1 lakh. These hi-tech aquariums will have natural plants and stones in it. There will also be an exhibition of fresh fish and ornamental fish.

Mr. Shivaprakash said that the Fisheries College will put on exhibition rare fish species of the Western Ghats that are being reared at the college. Nearly 60,000 species of fish, which are on the verge of extinction, are being reared at the college and then set free in the Western Ghats. Some among these species will go on exhibition, he said.

There will be stalls providing various dishes made out of fish. Arrangements are being made for consultation with experts in the field of aquaculture and fisheries. There will be a workshop where experts will speak on issues, including giving impetus to inland aquaculture, Mr. Shivaprakash said.

The event will be inaugurated by K. Abhayachandra Jain, Minister of State for Fisheries and Youth Empowerment. A Manju, Minister of State for Sericulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, will be attending the valedictory function.