MANGALURU: With Pilikula Biological park attracting more visitors every day, the State Fisheries Department has planned to construct an oceanarium at a cost of `15 crore, State Fisheries and Sports Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said on Sunday.
Addressing the Matsyotsava and Kshetrotsava organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama — Manasa Amusement park in Pilikula, he said the state government has already earmarked `10 crore for the project but there is a need for more funds for implementation of the project. He added out that the oceanarium may require more than `200 crore in order to be completed.
Madhwaraj dropped fish breeds into the lake in Pilikula as substitute of the fish varieties caught as part of the ‘Matsyotsava’. Fishermen from Chitradurga caught fish from the lake using traditional boat (Theppa), which were auctioned later. A Katla variety of fish weighing 5.6 kilos was sold for `1,800 during the auction.
The fishermen also caught Rohu, Katla, Mrugal,Tilpora, Kamnthra and other varieties of fish from the lake. Seafood items were sold at the venue.