Port Blair, Nov. 20: Large number of crowd converged at Corbyn’s Cove Beach to be a part of the ‘Island Seafood Festival’ organized by the Department of Fisheries in association with Tourism Department, A&N Administration.  The two-day festival is being organized in connection with celebration of ‘World Fisheries Day -2022’ and also to promote tourism in A&N Islands.  The festival was inaugurated today by Secretary (Fisheries), A&N Administration, Shri G. Sudhakar, IAS as chief guest.  The Secretary (IP&T), Shri Hari Kallikkat, IAS was the guest of honour. The Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Smt. Pramila Kumari was also present on the occasion. The festival which mainly focused on popularizing seafood culture of the Islands among the local population as well as tourists visiting Isles was participated by people of all ages.

In her brief address, the Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad complimented both the Departments for conducting the programme in a grand manner and praised their efforts in developing both Fisheries and Tourism sectors for the benefit of the Islanders.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Fisheries, A&N Administration, Shri G. Sudhakar, IAS said this is for the first time, the Fisheries Department is organizing seafood festival as part of the World Fisheries Day -2022. He said, this festival will be organized in large scale in the coming years for the benefit of the islanders and the tourists visiting Isles.

In his address, the Secretary IP&T, Shri Hari Kallikkat, IAS appreciated the staff of Fisheries and IP&T Department for conducting the festival which is attracting large crowd. He also praised the effort of Fisheries Department for organizing the festival in a grand way. More than 24 stalls of Fisheries related Departments/organizations and private entrepreneurs are participating in the festival, he said. The Zilla Parishad Member, Bambooflat, Ms. Mariyam Bibi and President, AATO, Shri M.Vinod also addressed the gathering.

Soon after the inauguration, the dignitaries visited the stalls put up by   Hotels & Restaurants/Aquarists/Sport Fishing Associations/ Fishing Associations/Aqua club/Women SHGs/ Fisheries Institutes like Fishery Survey of India, ICAR-CIARI, NIOT, CSIR-CSMCRI, Coast Guard etc.

The stalls of fresh seafood cuisines/delicacies of different varieties fishes and shellfishes, other fish value added products, Aquarium fishes, Display & Models on various aspects of Fisheries and Aquaculture attracted large number of people. The singers of BRW Music Wing entertained the assemblage with patriotic and melodious film songs.

The seafood festival will be held tomorrow (Nov. 21) also from 4 pm to 9 pm.