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Good scope seen for Kerala ornamental fishing

Aravindan

KOTTAYAM, July 23

THERE is tremendous potential for rearing ornamental fish in Kerala. The farmers in the State can undertake ornamental fish farming with comparatively small investment, and get very good returns as there is sustainable markets both inside and outside the country, according to Mr A.V. Mathew, Research Officer of the Kerala Agricultural University.

If the Government extended short and long-term loans to encourage ornamental fish farming, it would enhance foreign exchange flow to the country, he told Business Line. The farmers should come forward and take up the challenge, he advised.

On a global basis, India ranks one among the top few countries with maximum ornamental fish reserves. Andaman-Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep islands, the south-east and south-west coastal areas are all rich in ornamental marine varieties.

Of the 600 varieties found in and around Lakshadweep islands, 300 belong to ornamental category. In Kerala, coastal areas from Kochi to Vizhinjam are the rich mines of several attractive specious of ornamental category.

According to a study conducted by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the global ornamental fish market was worth about $450 crore. Asian countries including Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Mali, Hongkong and Thailand together had 60 per cent share in the world market. However, exports from India was just about a few crores only.

In Kerala, technologies could be developed for the large-scale production of ornamental fish varieties as angel fish, gold fish, koi carp and pearl gourami, said Mr Mathew. A veil-tail variety of angel fish with good market prospects had also been develo ped through selective breeding by KAU, he added.

Most farmers now involved in ornamental fish farming in the State had no training in scientific rearing, Mr Mathew said. Introducing scientific methods in fish farming would help to reap good harvests in the State, he added.