Kochi, Jul 28 (IANS): In an effort to boost the ornamental fish industry, seven fisheries research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collabration with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) launched a project here on Saturday.

Speaking at the ceremony at the CMFRI, J.K. Jena, deputy director general of ICAR stressed the need for having a strong linkage between researchers and industry partners in the ornamental fish sector in the country to utilise the potential resources available in India.

"The potential for the development of ornamental fish trade in India is immense and the Centre has identified this sector as one of the thrust areas for development to augment exports. For the trade to prosper, the three pre-requisites are quality, quantity and sustainability," said Jena.

In India marine ornamental fish species diversity is rich in the reef area of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Gulf of Mannar and Gulf of Kutch. The freshwater ornamental fish resources are rich in the rivers and streams of the Western Ghats and North East India.

The participating institutes include Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneshwar, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Barrackpore,National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai, ACentral Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai and Directorate of Coldwater Fishery Research (DCFR) in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand.