Matsya Mela in Lakshadweep turns into celebration of sea, science and culture

10-12 January 2026, Lakshadweep

Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep witnessed a vibrant celebration of fisheries, culture, and community life with the three-day Matsya Mela, held from 10–12 January 2026. The event brought together islanders, fishers, entrepreneurs, scientists, policymakers, and visitors, creating a dynamic platform that seamlessly blended Lakshadweep’s rich maritime heritage with modern fisheries science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Lakshadweep of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute took the lead to organise this mega event in association with the Department of Fisheries, Lakshadweep Administration and ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. S. B. Deepak Kumar, IAS, Advisor to the Administrator of Lakshadweep. Dr. B. K. Behera, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, presided. Dr Giri Sankar, IAS, District Collector; Raj Tilak, IFS, Lakshadweep Fisheries Secretary; Shri. K Buzar Jamhar, DANICS, Director of Fisheries; Dr Grinson George, Director, ICAR-CMFRI;  Dr V Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR- ATARI; Dr George Ninan, Director of ICAR- CIFT along with other senior officials of KVK Lakshadweep were present during the inauguration.
 
The Matsya Mela featured an engaging exhibition and live demonstrations showcasing a wide range of value-added products from tuna, including ready-to-eat delicacies, traditional masmin, fish jaggery, octopus fry, and innovative seafood products. Seaweed-based products and technologies also emerged as major highlights, underlining new livelihood and market opportunities for island communities. These exhibits reflected the strength of indigenous knowledge combined with evolving scientific and technological interventions.

A series of Farmer–Scientist Interface sessions formed the technical backbone of the mela, covering post-harvest technologies, value addition and marketing, credit and fisheries schemes, mariculture and seaweed farming, ornamental fisheries, sustainable marine fisheries, ecosystem conservation, and climate change impacts. Experts from ICAR-CMFRI, ICAR-CIFT, universities, national agencies, and industry interacted closely with fishers and entrepreneurs, fostering knowledge exchange and practical solutions tailored to island conditions.

The mela also hosted a stakeholder meet on entrepreneurship, panel discussions on attracting women and youth to fisheries, and interactive sessions focusing on cooperatives, startups, cold chain solutions, renewable energy use, and policy pathways for fisheries development. Community engagement was further strengthened through quiz competitions, tug-of-war, food recipe contests, and well-attended cultural evenings that celebrated Lakshadweep’s vibrant traditions and artistic heritage.

A total of 72 exhibitors representing the fishing and post-harvest sectors were part of the event.

(Source: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi)