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Ornaments from fish otoliths, named ‘Sea gems’, have made a market debut.
Thanks to efforts of a group of enthusiastic fisherwomen in Vizhinjam.
Trained by scientists from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
The otolith ornaments crafted by fisherwomen under self-help group Sea Gems Mahila Sahrudam Group recently went on display at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village showroom in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram.
Fish otoliths are biomineralised ear stones that help fish hear and provide it a sense of balance. Otoliths are important in fish studies as they have species-specific shapes and grow throughout their life.
What is Fish otolith
A fish otolith, also known as an earstone, is a hard structure made of calcium carbonate found inside the head of bony fish.
It's located behind the brain and plays a vital role in two key senses for fish:
Balance: Otoliths help fish maintain their balance and sense of orientation in the water.
Hearing: They contribute to the hearing process by detecting vibrations and sound waves.
There are three pairs of otoliths in a fish, each with a slightly different shape and size.
The largest and most commonly studied one for age determination is called the sagitta.
Here's an interesting fact about otoliths:
They grow throughout the fish's life in layers, similar to tree rings.
By examining these layers under a microscope, scientists can estimate the age of the fish.
The wider, translucent zones indicate periods of fast growth, while the thinner, opaque zones represent slower growth periods.
This technique is a valuable tool for fisheries management and understanding fish populations.
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