Let’s be trustworthy, there’s nothing fairly like having fun with a scrumptious fish steak or barbeque after an extended day of looking at spreadsheets. Succulent, flavourful, and healthful, fish dishes are a good way to fulfill each the stomach and the soul. They seem to be a reward from nature, filled with protein, and generally, a little bit of of venture. You stand there within the grocery aisle, fillets glistening below fluorescent lights, questioning: is that this the good things? Shailesh Patel will get it. He is felt that frustration, that eager for actually high-quality fish. However as an alternative of lamenting from the frozen meals aisle, he did one thing extraordinary. He created Dam Good Fish, an organization that cuts out the intermediary (and the thriller) by bringing dam-raised fish immediately to the doorstep.
Overlook the murky ponds and crowded cages of conventional aquaculture. Dam Good Fish sources its bounty from pristine dams, promising a more healthy product for you and a extra sustainable method for the planet. We sat down with Patel to get the news on this distinctive operation, from the stunning advantages of dam-raised fish to the secrets and techniques behind maintaining them shockingly contemporary on their journey from dam to your door.
1. What are some great benefits of elevating fish in dam water like in Lalitpur in comparison with fish raised in ponds or farms?
The Dam Good Household firmly believes {that a} “Completely satisfied Fish is a Wholesome Fish.” Dams, huge our bodies of water, present expansive area and a pure atmosphere conducive to fish well being. The pristine water high quality, naturally regulated temperature, and numerous habitat inside dams foster strong and resilient fish populations. Not like ponds or farms, dams provide ample room for fish to roam, mitigating overcrowding and competitors for sources, thereby selling superior progress, tissue energy, and general fish well-being.
The continual water circulation in dams ensures optimum oxygen ranges, creating an excellent habitat in comparison with stagnant water in farms or ponds. Nutrient-rich inputs from upstream sources, resembling natural matter carried by rivers, maintain the meals chain inside dams, supporting the expansion of algae and different pure meals sources important for fish.
Inside dam environments, fish profit from a wider array of pure sources, together with algae, bugs, and aquatic organisms, fostering a various eating regimen that promotes enhanced diet and progress. Not like ponds requiring in depth preparation with chemical substances resembling Calcium hydroxide, Urea, DAP, SSP, and slaked lime, dams entail minimal upkeep for fish tradition.
Moreover, in contrast to the usage of chemical substances and antibiotics frequent in pond farming to manage dangerous micro organism, fish raised in dams get pleasure from a more healthy atmosphere, lowering the danger of illness outbreaks. Contributing to general ecosystem well being, fish in dams play important roles in nutrient biking, predator-prey dynamics, and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, they assist leisure and business fishing industries, offering financial advantages to surrounding communities.
2. Some customers is perhaps involved in regards to the dam atmosphere. How do you make sure the water high quality is appropriate for elevating wholesome fish?
Dams are pure reservoirs unfold throughout a whole lot of kilometres fed by upstream sources and rivers. Usually positioned away from industrial zones and densely populated areas, dams stay free from contamination, making certain the purity of their water and soil. Dam Good Fish selectively sources its fish from pristine dams resembling Rajghat, that are wealthy in natural vitamins and devoid of pollution, thereby producing natural fish of outstanding high quality.
Rajghat Dam, Lalitpur (Photograph: iStock)
3. What particular styles of fish do you supply from Rajghat Dam in Lalitpur? Are there any distinctive species not readily discovered elsewhere?
Dams like Rajghat are dwelling to a various array of freshwater Indian main carp, catfish, and varied different fish species. Amongst them are Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Bata, Chilwa, Calbasu, Bighead, Singhi, Singhara, River Sole, Pabda (Butterfish), Malli, Chitol, Dhawai, Baam and quite a few others. A few of these fish species are wild and can’t be cultivated in ponds or farms, making Rajghat Dam a novel and invaluable habitat for a variety of indigenous aquatic life.
4. What sort of suggestions have you ever acquired out of your prospects in regards to the style and high quality of your dam water fish?
We have been lucky to obtain constantly constructive suggestions from our prospects concerning the freshness, style and high quality of our dam water fish. For example, one in every of our valued prospects lately shared: “As at all times, Excellent high quality of singhara fish as if it is a contemporary catch. Thanks a ton. Stick with it.” This suggestions serves as an ideal supply of motivation for our crew. Since our inception, we have been humbled by the belief positioned in Dam Good Fish by fish fans, evident by means of phrase of mouth and repeat orders. We stay steadfast in our dedication to delivering freshness, odour-free merchandise, and personalised cuts, making certain that fish are minimize, cleaned, and packed upon order placement.
5. Sustainability is a rising concern. How does sourcing fish from dams contribute to a extra sustainable seafood business?
Dams are integral parts of pure landscapes, thus necessitating minimal habitat alteration for fish cultivation. Along with serving as habitats for varied aquatic species, dams assist ecosystems encompassing aquatic crops, invertebrates, and different wildlife. By sourcing from dams, we contribute to the preservation of those pure habitats and the varied ecosystems they maintain. In comparison with intensive aquaculture practices in ponds or farms, sourcing from dams sometimes entails decrease environmental influence. Moreover, sourcing from dams can bolster native economies by creating livelihood alternatives for communities residing within the neighborhood of the dam.
6. We have seen an increase within the recognition of farm-to-table ideas. Dam Good Fish takes it a step additional – dam-to-door! What impressed you to start out Dam Good Fish and produce dam water fish on to customers?
Thanks for highlighting it. We actually imagine and it’s our motto to feed Indian customers freshwater fish & accurately acknowledged as “Dam-to-Door”, delivering naturally grown fish on to customers’ properties is the perfect method to offering premium protein sourced from pure environments. Fish, as a lean meat possibility, has gained immense recognition amongst meat customers. India at the moment ranks because the world’s third-largest fish-producing nation. Nevertheless, when it comes to aquaculture in small, medium, and huge dams and reservoirs, our neighbouring nations like China outpace India with fish manufacturing ranges a minimum of ten occasions larger, highlighting the immense potential for progress in India’s aquaculture sector.
7. Dam Good Fish is a delivery-only service. How do you keep freshness throughout transport?
We’re on a mission to feed our customers solely contemporary fish. Fish caught through the night time on the Dam are immediately packed sustaining 0-4 levels and journey to our packing centre by early morning. Fish might be minimize and packed simply earlier than the supply slots to keep up the tenderness of the meat. Our state-of-the-art packing centre, makes use of RO purified chilled working water whereas reducing and cleansing the fish. Packs are hygienically vacuum packed and delivered with ice pads sustaining temperature. The complete journey is maintained at 0-4 levels to maintain the freshness.
8. Trying forward, do you’ve got plans to develop Dam Good Fish past Lalitpur, or maybe provide completely different dam-sourced merchandise?
Certainly, our Dam-grown fish are wild-caught and naturally grown; the species we catch differ relying on climate, seasons, and different tropical circumstances at completely different places. Whereas Rajghat stays a big supply, we additionally collect fish from varied different dams resembling Sharda Sagar close to Pilibhit, Rana Pratap Sagar in Rajasthan, Rihand close to Banaras, and lots of extra. Guaranteeing the purity of water and the dietary richness of the soil in whichever dams we supply from is a high precedence for us. We procure a variety of seafood varieties, together with marine species which might be wild-caught and delivered contemporary to our prospects. This numerous sourcing method permits us to supply a complete number of premium-quality fish and seafood to our valued prospects.
9. Lastly, for our readers who is perhaps fascinated about making an attempt Dam Good Fish, are you able to inform us a bit about your ordering course of and supply space?
We have now a extremely interactive cell software, “Dam Good Fish,” accessible on each iOS and Android platforms together with a user-friendly web site for handy ordering of contemporary fish merchandise. Whereas we initially launched in Gurgaon, now we have now expanded our supply providers to cowl Delhi as effectively. Our purpose is to increase our attain to the complete Nationwide Capital Area (NCR) earlier than August this yr. Responding to buyer calls for for high quality protein and lean meat choices, now we have lately launched a brand new vary of freshly marinated fish merchandise. Trying forward, we aspire to serve prospects in main Indian cities within the coming yr.
10. Do you’ve got any tips about how dwelling cooks can finest put together and luxuriate in dam water fish? (Please provide sensible cooking recommendation to readers).
Effectively, fish is without doubt one of the best dishes to organize, second solely to salad! 🙂 It is best loved when shallow-fried, grilled, or cooked in varied curry kinds. Among the Bengali and Kerala-style fish dishes are significantly mouthwatering. Fish naturally comprises wholesome oils, so it requires minimal oil for shallow frying, making it supreme for newcomers. A easy marinade with primary spices like salt, pepper, chilli, and turmeric, together with ginger and garlic paste, is all you want. Marinate the fish, let it chill to permit the flavours to meld, then shallow fry in a pan for a most of 8 minutes, relying on the kind of fish. We usually share dwelling cooks’ opinions and cooking strategies for Dam Good Fish on Instagram, so make sure to comply with us for extra inspiration!
