• UGI USER
  • Mar 31, 2024
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FISH OTOLITH ORNAMENTS MAKE MARKET DEBUT

Why in News:

  • A group of fisherwomen from Vizhinjam, trained by scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), introduced a unique line of ornaments crafted from fish otoliths.

What are these?

  • These biomineralized ear stones, commonly known as “Sea gems,” assist fish in hearing and maintaining balance, and have species-specific shapes crucial for fish studies.

Market Debut and Display:

  • The otolith ornaments, created by the Sea Gems Mahila Sahrudam Group, were recently showcased at the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village showroom in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • This marks the first organized and sustainable production and sale of otolith ornaments in India, a practice historically known to civilizations like the Romans and Egyptians as “lucky stones.”
About Otolith:

The otolith (ear stone or ear bone) is the most commonly used structure for determining the age of fish. Otoliths are calcium carbonate structures found inside the heads of bony fish; sharks and rays lack otoliths