In a bid to ensure fish vendors deliver quality fish that is not contaminated by dust and also handled in a hygienic manner, the ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology distributed specially designed and developed insulated fish bags to some fishers. As an organisation engaged in research on harvest and post-harvest fisheries technologies CIFT had developed an Insulated Fish Bag for preserving the quality of fish during transportation and retail vending. The bag costs Rs 1,000 and it was given free of cost to 20 fish vendors as a technology promotion initiative. The institute will provide the technology and give the necessary assistance to NGOs or companies to produce it on a commercial scale, Scientist Incharge of the Visakhapatnam Research Centre, D. Rajeswari, said. Senior scientist B Madhusudana Rao along with scientists Viji P and Jesmi Debbarma explained the utility of the bags to the fisher folk when they were distributed on the Institute premises here on Saturday at a programme organised in association with Fishermen Youth Welfare Association. The fish bag is made up of three layers which can prevent ice from melting for six hours. The bag is useful for fisher folk vending fish by moving around in residential areas in the city and also during transport of fish from fishing harbour to markets. Fish consumers also gain by getting quality fish at their doorstep. The fish waste (gills and intestines) can be collected in polythene bags and carried in the fish bag for disposal later in garbage bins. Under the initiative, two models of these bags were distributed to fisher women from Peddajalaripeta and Vasuvanipalem. One model is cylindrical for carrying smaller fish and shrimp and the rectangular model for relatively larger fish. Each bag can hold about 15 kg of fish. Earlier, as part of skill development FYWA with technical assistance of CIFT conducted a three-day training programme on hygienic conditions, fish processing and value added products to fish vendors, FYWA secretary T Sankar Rao said.
2016, The Hindu