Kasaragod Wins Kerala Fisheries Department’s Excellence Award 2025

The Kerala Fisheries Department has conferred the Fisheries Department Excellence Award 2025 on Kasaragod district, acknowledging its outstanding performance under the Popular Fish Farming Project. This prestigious honour highlights Kasaragod’s leadership in sustainable and innovative practices in aquaculture and its consistent efforts at the grassroots level.

State-Level Recognition for Fisheries Achievements

Kasaragod was adjudged the best district in the State for its effective implementation of fisheries development projects. The award is part of the annual State Farmer Awards, instituted by the department to honour excellence in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors across Kerala.

According to the district administration, this recognition reflects the district’s proactive approach in promoting aquaculture, boosting inland fish production, and engaging local farmers in sustainable practices.

Local Fish Farmers Shine in Individual Categories

In addition to the district award, two local aquaculture practitioners from Kasaragod earned accolades in individual categories:

• Ravi P.P., a fish farmer from Padanna, won second place in the Best Backwater Fish Seed Production Farmer category.

• Sea Pearl Aquafarm, based in Kumbala, was awarded third place for Best Innovative Fish Farming.

These awards highlight the role of individual entrepreneurship and innovation in strengthening the district’s fisheries ecosystem.

Leadership and Coordination Praised

District Collector K. Inbasekar expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in achieving the honour, especially acknowledging Deputy Director of Fisheries, K.A. Labib, for his strategic guidance and support in steering fisheries projects to success.

A Consistent Performer in State-Level Competitions

This award marks yet another milestone in Kasaragod’s growing record of State-level recognition:

• In previous years, the district won the Best District Award under the Popular Fisheries Project Matsya Karshaka Award.

• It was also honoured with the Best BMC (Biodiversity Management Committee) Award in the 2023 State Biodiversity Awards.

• Notably, Kasaragod’s District Panchayat BMS became the first in the country to declare an official tree, flower, and bird, representing the region’s unique biodiversity identity.