The dawn of 2007 added another attraction to the fest that’s ‘Matsyalankar’. It was a showcase of marine life and was inaugurated on 1st of January. The show lasted till the 8th.
The all-India aquarium exhibition held at the marine ground of Calicut beach was aimed at promoting ornamental fish culture and trade in Indian sub-continent. The exhibition was in fact a jewel on the crown of the fest. As many as 150 stalls were put up to display hundreds of varieties of indigenous ornamental fishes ranging from barbs to loaches. They will include 200 varieties of fishes which were bred and marketed across the state. Most of which are rare and exotic verities of very high demand.
Quaran Angel, the rarest ornamental fish from the Indian Ocean which costs over 1.5 lakhs was in fact the star of the show. Fishes were brought from as far as Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, Assam, Mumbai and Thailand. Apart from adding color to the fest, the show brought together farmers, dealers, and govt agencies under one roof to showcase the progress the state had made in the area of ornamental fish breeding and trade.
The show created a common platform for about 600 farmers and 200 dealers In Kerala to meet and exchange ideas. About 15 stalls were put up by the central and governments and 16 others by Lakshadeep marketing society. The show were held from 10am – 10pm and the tickets rates were Rs 20/-for adults and Rs 10/- for children.
Long queues could be seen on the beach road even on the last day of this event.
