Ornamental fish aquaculture to help women in Lakshadweep islands
Why in news :
- Community-based ornamental fish aquaculture, using local resources, is expected to help women in the Lakshadweep islands to take the first step towards self-reliance through concerted activities.
- They have formed groups for ornamental fish aquaculture with technical support from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR).
- The NBFGR maintains a germplasm resource centre for marine ornamental organisms on Agatti Island for conservation as well as boosting livelihood sources for the islanders.
About ornamental fish aquaculture :
Aquariculture :
- The culture of ornamental fishes is called as aquariculture.
- Ornamental fish culture is the culture of attractive, colourful fishes of various characteristics, which are reared in a confined aquatic system.
- Farmers and hobbyists mainly grow it. Ornamental fishes are also known as living jewels.
- There are more than 30,000 fish species reported around the world, of this about 800 belong to ornamental fishes.
- Most of the ornamental fishes survive in freshwater.
- They come under eight closely related families namely, Anabantidae, Callichthyidae, Characidae, Cichlidae, Cobitidae, Cyprinodontidae, Cyprinidae and Poeciliidae.
- Ornamental fishes of India are contributing about 1% of the total ornamental fish trade.
- These fishes are exported to the tune of 54 tons, having the value of Rupees 13.08 crores in 2020-21.
- It registered a growth of 66.55 % in terms of quantity and 20.59% in terms of value in INR.
- India has great potentials in Ornamental fish production due to the presence of rich biodiversity of species, favourable climatic conditions and availability of cheap labour.
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal mainly practice ornamental fish farming in India.
- The ornamental species are categorized into indigenous and exotic.
- Availability of a vast number of native species has contributed significantly to the development of ornamental fish industry in the country.
- North-eastern states, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are blessed with potential indigenous species.
- About 90% of native species (85% are from northeast India) are collected and reared to meet export demand.
- Presently, nearly about 100 native species are reared as aquarium fish.
- There is also a great demand for exotic species due to its colour, shape and appearance.
- More than 300 exotic species are covered in the ornamental fish trade, but a greater demand for this exists.
- About 200 species are bred in India. 90% of India exports go from Kolkata followed by 8% from Mumbai and 2% from Chennai.
Syllabus : Prelims + Mains; GS3 – Economy