The Hindu Business Line : TN, Kerala keen to tap ornamental fish sector

TAMIL Nadu and Kerala are separately exploring opportunities to set up fish farm infrastructure to exploit the Rs 30,000-crore global trade in ornamental fish, said State government officials.

The officials were responding to a call from representatives of the ornamental fish trade for measures to encourage investments. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Director, Mr D. P. Yadav, said the State Government is discussing issues relating to infrastructure with exporters. The project is in a preliminary stage. An industrial estate-like centre is under consideration (in collaboration with the Marine Products Export Development Authority/MPEDA) to enable breeders and exporters to set up facilities, he said.

Kerala's Fisheries Minister, Mr Dominic Presentation, said that the State Government is also in talks with MPEDA for a similar facility there.

The State Government officials were addressing a press conference on the upcoming India International Aqua Show, a conference and exhibition on ornamental fish trade. The event is to be held during February 2-7 at Kochi.

Dr M. Sakthivel, President, Aquaculture Foundation of India, said that the country's share in the world trade is an insignificant fraction, despite the huge potential. The opportunities in ornamental fish trade were recognised decades ago when surveys indicated that there were more than 250 species of ornamental marine fish and similar numbers of fresh water fish.

But regulatory difficulties, including limitations on import and export, have stifled the trade. South East Asian countries have exploited the opportunity well and are now world leaders, he said.

Mr Presentation said that the State has a huge fresh water resource with at least 85 species of fish that could be exploited for the ornamental value. Raising ornamental fish is a popular hobby worldwide.

The Aqua Show is organised by the Kerala Fisheries Department and the State Fisheries Resources Management Society, and will bring together breeders, exporters, aquarium accessories manufacturers and experts.

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