Kochi: Nearly 200 representatives from the fisherfolk community and leaders from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Goa will gather for a national-level fishermen and fish farmers meet at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) on Saturday.
This event is part of the International Fisheries Congress and Expo organized by Kufos from Friday to Sunday. Kufos Vice-Chancellor T Pradeepkumar highlighted the meeting’s significance in addressing critical issues affecting the fisheries sector in Kerala, encompassing both fishing and aquaculture. The urgency of the situation calls for immediate attention and collective efforts.
Kerala boasts an impressive fish consumption volume, with the state’s average yearly fish consumption exceeding 25kg per person, surpassing the global average of 20.8kg. However, the annual marine fish landings of the state, at 5.5 lakh tonnes, and inland fish landings of 1.7 lakh tonnes, fall significantly short of the local demand of over 10 lakh tonnes. Approximately 40% of this demand is met through imports from neighbouring states and even countries like Oman.