With the nationwide lockdown, no fishing boats are operational in Kerala. Even then, every market sells fish. With the lack of availability of fresh fish, toxic and stale fish have been arriving in the Kerala market. After the government got to know this, they launched Operation Sagar Rani on April 4.

Within 3 days, raids were conducted at 221 different districts in the state. The Police and the food safety department had started the operation on Saturday and seized 2865 kg of fish on the first day and 15641 kg fish on Monday. Tuesday’s catch takes the total amount of toxic fish seized to 35,524 kg. Some of the fish samples collected had traces of formalin, a toxic chemical widely used as tissue preservative, said a Food Safety Officer.

"In the wake of unscrupulous elements using lockdown period to sell contaminated fish, we have decided to strengthen the inspections under Operation Sagar Rani," said Health Minister KK Shailaja. With this, the government has allowed restricted fishing recently as the demand for the fish increased and to help the fishermen community in distress.