Pescetarians, there is an important mission for you. Vimla Talao at Uran, under two hours from Mumbai’s center, is over stocked with tilapia fish, and it needs your help to balance its eco-system. Rahul Mhatre, who runs an aquarium business close-by, won the tender to rent the government pool in 2013 for three years. Since then, he has populated it with rohu, silver carp, pugnacious, catla, sea bass and tilapia fish to encourage sports fishing.

Rahul Mhatre holds up a tilapia he has fished. Although this one is mid-sized, sometimes, enthusiasts catch one-foot-long pieces

“During the rains, when we don’t eat saltwater fish, its fresh water fish we rely on,” says the 37-year-old.

Ratnakar Vajekar, a local construction contractor, who frequents the talao for fishing, offers advice on handling the African variety of tilapia. “It needs marinating for two hours in brine solution to enhance its flavour.”