Mangaluru: 1,500 Kg of fish expected to be sold at Pilikula Matsyotsava on October 25

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 23, 2026: The Pilikula Development Authority will organise Pilikula Matsyotsava and Fish Food Festival 2026 at the entrance to Lake Garden in Pilikula on October 25.

The festival is being jointly organised by the Pilikula Development Authority, the Departments of Tourism and Fisheries, and the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC), Mangaluru.

The highlight of the festival will be the sale of freshwater fish harvested from Pilikula Lake. Around 1,000 to 1,500 kg of fish is expected to be caught and sold this year, said Pilikula Development Authority In-charge Commissioner Dr Arun Kumar Shetty while briefing reporters.

The sale will begin at 8.30 am and continue until stocks last, with fish priced at Rs 160 per kg.

“Last year, around 1,200 kg of fish was caught and sold, and the response was overwhelming. We expect a similar response this year. Fish catchers from Shivamogga will arrive for the harvest. The nets will be cast the previous day and left in the water to ensure fresh fish is available when consumers arrive from 8.30 am,” Dr Shetty said.

Matsyotsava is generally organised in July, when deep-sea fishing is prohibited, to ensure the availability of freshwater fish to people in Mangaluru. However, the festival was delayed this year for various reasons, he added.

As part of efforts to promote fisheries and increase fish production, the Fisheries Department will release 20,000 fingerlings of varieties such as rohu, catla and tilapia into the lake.

Regarding the survival rate of the fingerlings, Dr Shetty said it was normally around 20%. The lake, spread over five acres, has a depth of approximately 20 feet, making it difficult to catch all the fish in it, he added.

The food festival will feature a variety of delicacies prepared using freshwater and marine fish. Restaurants will set up stalls offering a range of seafood dishes, while value-added fish products will also be displayed and sold.

The KFDC will bring its mobile canteen to the venue to serve fish delicacies.

The food festival will remain open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Entry to Matsyotsava is free.