Ornamental Fish Aquaculture

Context- Through coordinated efforts, it is anticipated that community-based ornamental fish aquaculture will assist Lakshadweep island women in taking the first step toward self-sufficiency.

Key Highlights

• • The first-of-its-kind community-based ornamental fish aquaculture experiment made use of local resources. Up to 82 islanders, including 77 women, were chosen and received extensive training.
  • With the help of technical assistance from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), they have established groups for the aquaculture of ornamental fish.

• Role of National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR):

• • • On Agatti Island, the NBFGR operates a germplasm resource center for marine ornamental organisms in the interest of conservation and expanding islander livelihood options.
    • The NBFGR is providing assistance by building local women’s capacity and supporting community aquaculture units that raise captive-bred marine ornamentals, such as shrimps, to marketable size.
    • Until the organisms reach a size that can be sold, the Agatti island NBFGR project team will keep an eye on the units and provide technical assistance.

• Expansion:

• • In addition to the two ornamental shrimp species, captive-raised clownfish seeds were also provided to the groups for further rearing in order to expand the activity and increase women’s income.

Significance 

• Keeping economic life going and giving women more power: 

• • • Given that the islands only have a limited supply of coconut and tuna fish, it is crucial to assist the islanders, particularly the women, in earning a living.
    • During the monsoon season, fishing practically stops, preventing a vital economic activity.
    • However, ornamental fish aquaculture is anticipated to maintain the islands’ economic rhythm.

• friendly to the environment:

• • Using coconut fronds and leaves and solar panels, the community-based breeding and sale of ornamental fish experiment has been made environmentally friendly.

Ornamental fish farming in India

• • The cultivation of attractive, colorful, and diversely characterized fishes in a restricted aquatic system is known as ornamental fish culture.
  • Due to its color, shape, and appearance, exotic species are in high demand.

• Economic contribution:

• • • India’s ornamental fishes account for about 1% of the global ornamental fish trade.
      • In 2020 and beyond, 54 tons of these fish will be exported, with a value of 13.08 crore rupees.
      • Quantity increased by 66.55 percent, and value increased by 20.59 percent in INR.

• Potential for growth:

• • The following factors indicate that ornamental fish production in India has great potential:
    • The presence of species with a lot of biodiversity,
    • favorable climate, and
    • cheap labor.
  • In India, ornamental fish farming is mostly practiced in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
  • To meet demand for export, about 90% of native species, including 85% from northeast India, are collected and raised.

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