CHENNAI: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), in association with France-based Zolux, is in the process of setting

up a packaging centre-cum-production unit of ornamental fishes in the city near the Chembarambakkam Lake at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore. Satish Sahayak, programme manager at the regional office of the Ornamental Fish Division, Marine Products Export Development Authority, Chennai, told TOI that the project was being set up as two units - one for the conditioning of fish and the other for the packaging of live fish. Sahayak said that Chennai was chosen for the project as it had excellent air connectivity. Also, fish production and marketing centres were located in Tamil Nadu - in Kolathur, Madurai, Trichy, Pollachi and Tuticorin. The types of fish that would be exported were wild caught fish, tank bred fish and live bearers. "Live bearers have a short life span of two years and there is a steady demand for this variety," Sahayak explained. Among the tank bred fish variety, Angel, Gourami, Gold Fish, Barbs and Cichild were in great demand abroad. In the domestic market, the prices of such fish was very high and the export volumes would ensure a steady supply and a fair price, he said. The French investor Zolux would in the coming two months buy fishes from Chennai and sell in European and American markets. More foreign direct investments in the sector were expected to come to Chennai, Sahayak said. Accvording to him, ornamental fish-keeping was one of the most popular hobbies in the developed countries as well as in India. It is estimated that about 35 million people have aquariums in their homes. The hobby has not only led to growing environmental awareness, but also generated rural employment (more than 1.5 million people are engaged in the trade), reduced poverty and generated foreign exchange for developing countries (the major suppliers). It has also led to interesting business opportunities for rural youth. Export of ornamental fish is worth US $ 293 million and more than 53% of the production comes from developing countries in Asia. India has a meagre share in the export of ornamental fishes (about Rs. 1.8 crore a year). MPEDA has selected five states for the implementation of subsidy schemes for ornamental fishes. Called the Rainbow Revolution, the states include West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Thirty-two ornamental fish breeding units have been set up at Viruveedu village in Dindigul district, and in Virudhunagar, Madurai, Thiruvaluvur, Tuticorin and Chennai.
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