Lok Sabha Question No. 4932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Ornamental Fish Export Industry
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4932 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 st  April, 2025

## Ornamental Fish Export Industry

## 4932. Shri Dushyant Singh:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry promote India's ornamental fish export industry in terms of market share, and the key factors contributing to its ranking as the 31 st largest exporter globally and the growth prospects for India's ornamental fish trade given its low export ranking despite high potential;
- (b) the role that Northeast and Southern States play in the export of wild varieties and the manner in which new production units in States like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh contributed to the industry's growth;
- (c) the context of Rajasthan's growing ornamental fisheries sector and the key developments in breeding and  commercial  production,  particularly  since  the  establishment  of  breeding  programmes  and  the commercial production units; and
- (d) the details of how has the market evolved and the potential for further growth in the region, especially under semi-arid conditions?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

- (a) to (d): The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GoI) has taken various steps to promote ornamental fisheries in the  country  including  North East and  Southern  State.  Under  Pradhan  Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), 2465 unit of Ornamental fish rearing units, 207 Integrated Ornamental fish (breeding and rearing) units, 5 fresh water Ornamental Fish Brood Bank units and 144 units of Promotion of Recreational Fisheries have been approved at a total cost of Rs.230.45 crore during the last four financial years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25).

To promote entrepreneurship, infrastructure and market expansion in the area of ornamental fisheries, the DoF, GoI has notified Madurai District of Tamil Nadu as the Ornamental fisheries cluster under PMMSY during 2024-25. The proposal of Government of Assam has also been approved for construction of an aquarium at Amingaon, Kamrup for display of indigenous variety of ornamental fish from North India. Further, To prepare the strategy and roadmap for development of ornamental fisheries resources in the country, the project proposal of  ICAR-Central  Institute  of  Freshwater  Aquaculture  (ICAR-CIFA)  approved  for  Strategic  Planning  and Database development of Ornamental Fisheries Value Chain Upgradation in India under PMMSY.

Under PMMSY, the proposal of Government of Madhya Pradesh approved at cost of Rs.2.60 crore for establishment  of  11  unit  of  ornamental  fish  breeding  and  rearing  unit.  Under  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), the project proposal of Government of Tamil Nadu has been approved with  total  outlay  of  Rs.5.00  crore  for  establishment  of  a  public  aquarium  and  ornamental  fish  retail  unit  at Tirunelveli in Tirunelveli District. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has extended financial support to Tropical Aquaculture and farming systems, Udaipur, Rajasthan and Government of Rajasthan for organising training  and  skill  development  programme  for  1000  trainees  to  promote  ornamental  fisheries  in  the  state  of Rajasthan.

ICAR-Central  Institute  of  Freshwater  Aquaculture  (CIFA),  Bhubaneswar  has  reported  that  Indian ornamental fish industry is valued at approximately Rs.3,000 crore which includes breeding, rearing, trade of ornamental  fishes,  aquarium  accessories,  aquatic  plants,  and  decorative  items,  contributing  significantly  to employment and entrepreneurship. As reported by ICAR-CIFA, at present, about 1,300 aquarium shops are in operation in Madhya Pradesh and 700 shops in Rajasthan.