Ornamental Fish Production and Management (1+1)

14.1.7Indian scenario

India, despite its vast area of sea coast and flow of perennial rivers and consequent abundant resources of freshwater and marine ornamentals, is still way behind other developing countries in the matter of development of this trade. In fact, the natural resources of India are more varied as compared to those of Sri Lanka, Africa, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Several freshwater varieties of Indian fishes are well known in the international market. The lagoons and coral reefs of lakshadweep and Minicoy islands. Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gulf of kutch complex, coast of kerala around cape comorin, Gulf of mannar and Palk Bay abound with highly attractive and varied species of ornamental fishes. We could certainly makes a good deal of money and enjoy a considerable share in the world trade by supplying marine ornamental fishes and live rocks originating from the vast resources which are the basic material essential in keeping the aquarium environment healthy. Live rocks afford organisms living in it a much longer life span. Poor knowledge on the part of our people about aquariculture and live fish trade could be the principal reason for our backwardness in this field.

India’s contribution to global aquarium trade is worth of Rs.5.7 crores, 0.5 per cent of international trade in 2005-06 while we have a great potential to increase the level of exports to about US$30 million (about Rs.110 crores) every year.