Vidhale said they would train people in taking care of fish.
Want to rear ornamental fish for recreation, as a stress-busting activity or hobby but are worried about who will take care of your pets when you are out of town? Soon, you may have specialized creches for fish.
"We plan to catalyse such specialized care-taking facilities for fish," said Arun Vidhale, Commissioner, Fisheries, adding it would boost ornamental fish keeping as a hobby and also the domestic aquarium market. "Today, many people shy away from keeping fish bowls and aquariums at home as they are worried about who will take care of them when they are away on vacation or at work," he explained.
Vidhale said they would train people in taking care of fish. "If we have land, we can start such fish creches or else private parties can step in with the department providing technical inputs and necessary hand-holding," he added, stating that the idea was under consideration. People who own fish tanks can keep their pets in these facilities after paying rent.
Training is also being organised at Mumbai, Raigad, Palghar and Sindhudurg to start production and retail units. Today, the fish breeding and trading is highly unorganised in nature, admitted Vidhale.
An official from the state fisheries department noted that a boost for the ornamental and exotic hobby fish breeding would also give an impetus to the fish feed business and other ancillary industries. It would also provide employment to the educated unemployed. The official said that installation of domestic fish tanks and aquariums would help people de-stress.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), between 2000 and 2011, global exports of ornamental fish increased from US$181 million to US$372 million. Total trade in live marine ornamentals is estimated at around US$44 million yearly. Most market supplies originate from Asia, with Singapore dominating as world's top exporting country.
PLAN ON ACTION
- Plan is to catalyse specialised care-taking facilities
- It will boost ornamental fish keeping as and help domestic aquarium market
- Training is being organised at Mumbai, Palghar to start production, retail units
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Fish")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}