20–22 February 2026, Surat, Gujarat
The Navsari Gujarat Regional Centre of ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, in collaboration with the Gujarat Aquaculture Feed Dealer Association (GAFDA), successfully organized the Second Seafood Festival–2026, titled “Samudra Manthan,” at Dandi Beach, Olpad Taluka, Surat district, from 20–22 February 2026.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition held in 2025, the three-day festival aimed to create awareness about the nutritional benefits of fish and promote greater domestic seafood consumption. More than 75 seafood outlets showcased a wide range of coastal delicacies from across India, offering visitors a rich and diverse culinary experience. The festival received an overwhelming public response, attracting an estimated 1,00,000 visitors over three days, reflecting growing consumer interest and the significant potential for expanding seafood consumption.
The festival was inaugurated on 20 February 2026 by Shri Mukesh Zinabhai Patel, Member of Legislative Assembly, Olpad constituency, Surat, in the presence of Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, and Shri Pradeep Navik, President, GAFDA.
In his address, Shri Patel highlighted initiatives undertaken by the Government of Gujarat to promote fisheries and shrimp culture. He emphasized fish as a nutritious health food and underscored the concerted efforts of state and central fisheries ministries to enhance seafood production and consumption nationwide.
Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal elaborated on ICAR-CIBA’s role in co-organizing the festival, emphasizing that increasing consumption is equally important as enhancing production. He highlighted ICAR-CIBA’s leadership in developing brackishwater aquaculture technologies and promoting nutritionally rich and sustainable species such as pearlspot and milkfish, which are being introduced in the western coastal region.
A special seafood outlet was managed by members of the Halpati Samaj Matsya Mandal, Navsari, a self-help group supported by the NGRC of ICAR-CIBA under the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC). The stall featured local delicacies prepared from farm-reared brackishwater species including mud crab, seabass, pearlspot, milkfish, and shrimp.
These species were produced at an integrated fish farming unit in Sultanpur village, Navsari, using ICAR-CIBA technologies under the STC scheme, demonstrating sustainable aquaculture practices and livelihood enhancement initiatives.
The festival effectively combined nutrition awareness, technology dissemination, livelihood promotion, and culinary diversity, reinforcing the importance of seafood in healthy diets and sustainable aquaculture development.
(Source: ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai)
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