Nayana J C

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 25: The annual Pilikula Matsyotsava and Fish Fair-2026 witnessed an enthusiastic response from the public at Pilikula Lake Garden in Mangaluru on Sunday, with large numbers of fish lovers gathering to purchase fresh fish harvested directly from the lake.

The festival, jointly organised by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, and the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation, Mangaluru, aimed to promote fisheries, encourage tourism and provide the public with access to fresh, naturally grown fish at affordable prices.

Fresh fish varieties, including Katla, Rohu and Tilapia, were made available for sale, attracting considerable interest from visitors. The opportunity to purchase fish grown in Pilikula Lake directly drew both regular customers and new visitors. The annual event has become a much-awaited occasion for fish lovers, with many returning every year to enjoy the fresh catch.

To ensure fair distribution and give more people an opportunity to purchase fish, the organisers introduced a token system, limiting purchases to five kilograms per person. The initiative helped streamline sales and ensure that the available stock could be distributed among more customers.

Speaking at the inauguration, MLA Dr A Umanath Kotian said the festival had received an encouraging response from the public. He noted that the initiative offered people an opportunity to purchase fresh fish directly from Pilikula Lake and added that similar activities would continue in the coming days.

Pilikula Development Authority in-charge commissioner Dr Arun Kumar Shetty said fish fingerlings were regularly released into the lake and allowed to grow naturally before being harvested for sale. He highlighted the nutritional value of fish and the growing public interest in the annual fish festival.

The organisers had set a target of harvesting 1,500 kg of fish for the event, with around 1,000 kg already harvested.

Expressing happiness over the annual initiative, a customer said, "We come here every year, and this year too, we made it a point to visit the fish festival. We are very happy with the quality of the fish we purchased. The fish was fresh, and we had a good experience. Every year, we look forward to this event, and we are happy that the tradition continues. We hope the festival will be organised in the same way in the coming years, giving more people an opportunity to enjoy fresh fish from Pilikula Lake."

Apart from fish sales, the festival featured food stalls offering a wide range of freshwater and marine fish delicacies, along with value-added fish products. The stalls added to the festive atmosphere, allowing visitors to savour a variety of seafood preparations and explore an assortment of fish-based dishes.

The annual Matsyotsava not only provided the public with an opportunity to purchase fresh fish but also highlighted Pilikula's efforts to promote fisheries, strengthen local tourism and raise awareness of fish cultivation. The encouraging response reflected the popularity of the initiative and the public's continued interest in the festival.

Dakshina Kannada additional deputy commissioner Raju K, MLA Dr A Umanath Kotian, Pilikula Development Authority in-charge commissioner Dr Arun Kumar Shetty, administrative Officer Dr Ashok K R, nominated member Shivarama Malli, Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation general manager Mahesh Kumar and sub-committee chairperson Prof G Sriniket were among those present.