Live fish transport is a critical activity for farmers, traders and consumers, but stress and mortality during transit often result in significant economic losses.To make the live transport of fish and other aquatic animals safer, simpler and more efficient, the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi (CIFT) has developed a technology using controlled low-temperature treatment to anaesthetise fish before transportation without using chemicals.The key novelty of the technology lies in its controlled, non-chemical and shock-free cooling system. The cooling is done gradually and according to the requirement of the species, helping to prevent sudden temperature shock and improve survival during transport.The CIFT has been granted an Indian patent for the invention titled “An Apparatus for Hypothermic Anesthetisation of Aquatic Animals Prior to Live Transport using Non-cyclic Refrigeration.”The system developed by CIFT offers a practical solution by making the process more reliable and suitable for small and medium-scale users. By reducing stress and mortality during transport, the system can improve survival, enhance market value and strengthen the live seafood supply chain, said a press release.The invention has strong commercial potential as it can benefit fish farmers, traders and consumers by reducing transport losses and ensuring the availability of prime-quality live seafood in the market.Developed under a DST-supported project at ICAR-CIFT, the technology offers a simpler, reliable and affordable alternative to conventional methods.The developers of the patented technology include Parvathy U., Murali S., Binsi PK, Sathish Kumar K., Ravishankar C.N., Jithin T. Joy and Vishnu R. Nair.Published on June 30, 2026