Kollam: For the first time in Kerala, a reefer container that helps preserve fish for about 72 hours has been introduced in Kollam.
Reefer containers are refrigerators that control the temperature in minus 2 to minus 5 Degree Celsius. Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma inaugurated the reefer container set up at Moothakara harbour here.
Two compressors are used in this equipment for cooling. It also has air curtains and temperature alarms for sustaining low temperature. The reefer containers can store upto 15 tonnes of fish and can be operated for 24 hours a day with a 10 KV generator backup system. One container costs Rs 25 lakh.
There are plans to arrange ice boxes in the boats of fisherfolk, reefer containers in fishing harbours, chill room facility in fish product manufacturing units, freezer in sales units and insulated vehicles for distribution of fish to customers.
The project to attain self-sufficiency in fish availability and to avoid supply of contaminated fish will be expanded all over the state gradually. The minister stated that fair price for fish will be ensured and unregulated price hike will not be allowed.
