Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 9: India’s ornamental fisheries exports are estimated at around Rs 41 crore, highlighting the sector’s steady rise as a niche but growing contributor to the country’s marine economy, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said the country has significant biodiversity advantages, with around 700 indigenous freshwater species and more than 300 marine species available domestically, offering strong potential for expansion in ornamental fisheries.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana), the ornamental fisheries sector is being actively promoted as a high-growth area driven by rising domestic and international demand.
As part of the scheme, the government has supported 1,986 backyard ornamental fish rearing units, 6,018 fish kiosks and aquariums, and 117 retail markets, including dedicated ornamental fish markets across the country. In addition, five freshwater ornamental fish brood banks and 199 integrated ornamental fish units have been established to strengthen production, marketing, and employment opportunities.
The Department of Fisheries has also notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters across India, including a dedicated ornamental fisheries cluster in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, aimed at boosting organised growth in the segment.
Senior officials are also reviewing ground-level implementation. Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi recently visited an ornamental fisheries brood bank at Mangrul village in Raigad, Maharashtra, where he interacted with beneficiaries to assess challenges and progress under the PMMSY framework.
The brood bank, described as the first of its kind in India, conserves and breeds over 25 varieties of ornamental fish. It has reportedly produced around 7.7 lakh fish across 20 species, generating nearly Rs 1.93 crore in revenue and creating employment for 25–30 people directly and indirectly.
The facility also plays a role in exports, supplying ornamental fish to several international markets including the United States, Italy, France, Mauritius, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, China, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Israel.
Maharashtra continues to be a major fisheries hub, supported by both marine and inland resources. With a coastline of 877.97 km, 173 fish landing centres, and 526 fishing villages, the state supports over 15 lac fisherfolk and produced approximately 5.9 lakh tonnes of fish in 2022–23, underscoring its importance in India’s fisheries ecosystem.