THRISSUR: The Model Shrimp Farm and Training Centre in Poyya would soon become an Aqua Tourism centre in the district. To make it a reality and promote aqua tourism, the officials concerned are trying to make a master plan for it.
The master plan would include setting up a fisheries museum, demo of fish culture and Pokkali farming in the sprawling 158 acres.
“We will submit the master plan to the Chief Minister who will be visiting Kodungallur on August 28,” farm manager Raju Ebraham said.
Fish culture in the master plan involves rearing of prawns, crabs, milkfish and pearlspot in the farm ponds. Benny Kuriakose, an engineer who prepared the master plan of Muziris Heritage Project, is incharge of the master plan for the fish farm.
The farm functions under the Agency for Development for Aquaculture of the state. The fish cultivated in the farm will be converted to traditional cuisine to attract tourists.
Tourists who visit the Musiris Heritage in Kottapuram are expected to come to the farm also. This in turn would help the farm to stay away from the debt issues.
The fisheries museum would demonstrate the age-old fishing methods such as fishing craft and gears. People would be trained to use these methods.
Pedal boating will also be included here, Ebraham said. We are planning to cultivate crabs, prawns and other fish as these can survive both in saline and fresh water.
The water in Poyya farm will be saline in summer. It would turn to fresh water in monsoon season, Ebraham said. “As Mala and Poyya panchayats have not been included in the Muziris Heritage Project, the new initiative will help attract tourists to the fish farming centre when it becomes an Aqua Tourism spot.