CM Pinarayi Vijayan warns against toxic preserves for fish

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has warned against using toxic chemicals to preserve fish, which has become a rampant practice in the state. While inaugurating the diamond jubilee foundation day celebration of ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology here on Saturday, he said that the state government had taken a serious approach on the complaints against adulteration of fish. “Fishermen and fish workers incur a loss at various levels from catching fish to marketing. Though cold storages can help them to prevent loss, it is a fact that the state does not have enough cold storage facilities. The state government aims at improving the situation in the fisheries sector,” the Chief Minister said.

Depletion in fisheries resources would adversely affect the lives of thousands of fish workers whose living standards are pathetic. The Chief Minister has promised all support for the activities of CIFT aimed at improving the living standards of fishermen and fish workers. Complimenting the research activities of CIFT, he said that efforts to make fishing vessels that use locally available wood from the coconut tree and rubber would help in bringing down the cost of vessels.

Meanwhile, delivering the presidential address, Minister for Fisheries J. Mercykutty Amma asked CIFT authorities to develop fuel efficient and feasible fishing vessels, quality fishing devices and environment-friendly fishing technology for the traditional fisheries sector. The minister offered support in promoting the recently developed paper strip which helped to detect the presence of chemicals in fish. The strips would be made available through medical shops, she said. Minister V.S Sunil Kumar, Mayor Soumini Jain, MLAs Hibi Eden, K.J Maxi and officials of CIFT also attended.