Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 16: Sea Food Festival-2026 celebrating the rich flavours, traditions, and cultural heritage of the sea concluded at Marina Park stretch road here today. The festival was organized by the Department of Fisheries, in association with the IP&T Department, A&N Administration, with financial support from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, placing special emphasis on ‘Tuna Cluster Development’ in the A&N Islands. The theme for the 2026 edition, ‘safe, wholesome & sustainable seafood for all,’ reflected the commitment towards promoting responsible fishing practices, food safety, and sustainable seafood consumption.
The Secretary (Fisheries), Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, was the chief guest of the closing ceremony. In her brief address, the Secretary expressed her gratitude to the general public for their support towards the event. She explained about various categories of stakeholders involved in the value chain including fishermen, fish traders, fish processors, local vendors, restaurants, hotels and finally to the consumers.
The Secretary further informed about the sea food potentials and its availability and assured the gathering that the Fisheries Department will be conducting such type of events frequently to attract more tourists to the Islands and this will be a platform for the islanders to showcase the sea food delicacies. She also expressed her gratitude to the A&N Administration for giving an opportunity to the Fisheries Department to organize such an event. The Secretary also gave away the prizes to the winners of the competitions organized as part of the festival in the presence of the Director (Fisheries), Ms. Jagtap Kalyani Rajendra.
In her address, the Director (Fisheries) thanked the stall owners and SHGs for participating in the event with their displays and making the two days event a grand success.
A large gathering of people including visitors thronged to the festival venue on the concluding day today wherein a wide range of fisheries-related activities, products, and services were on display. The stall also displayed live, fresh, chilled, and frozen fish, value-added fish products, seafood cuisines, aquariums, fish feed, essential fisheries requisites, and sport fishing services. For the entertainment of the visitors, colorful cultural programme was organized in which the artistes of Balakrishna Nritya Academy and Lead band (Live Band) entertained the gathering with their performances. The winners of various competitions organized as part of the festival are as follows:
Winner of Quiz Competition
1. Ms. Rishitha Ganni P and Ms. Manisha Jana
2. Ms. Jaspreet Kaur and Celesty T
3. Nishda Nasir. P and Nasreen Begum
Traditional Fishing Boat Race
1. Shri. G. Mukender Rao and Shri. R. Dilli Rao
2. Shri. A. Kumar Swamy and Shri. A. Ganesh
3. Shri. T. DilIi Rao and Shri. K Duravasulu
Best Chef (Male)
1. Shri Imran
2. Shri CH Somesh Rao
Best Chef (Female)
1. Ms. Lini Thomas
2. Ms. SK Sheela
3. Ms. Salma Begum and Ms. TN Devi
4. Gyaneshwari