The ornamental and exotic fish industry may soon get a shot in the arm with the state government planning an 'ornamental fish park' in the Konkan. Likely to come up in Sindhudurg, this park will be modelled on the lines of industrial areas and will boost domestic demand and increase the country's share in the export of these fish by nurturing a larger eco-system. "This is a multi-million dollar industry but India's share in it is less than 1 per cent and it is not picking up. Though the government has a number of subsidy schemes, these efforts and beneficiaries are scattered. To tap the export market and boost domestic incomes, we are planning an ornamental fish park on the lines of industrial estates. Here, the government will develop basic infrastructure and production and breeding units will be established by private entrepreneurs," said N Vasudevan, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF- Mangrove Cell). The fish park will have seed farms, fish breeding and rearing units, hatcheries and those manufacturing accessories used in the fish and aquarium trade such as fish tanks, bowls, filtration units, toys and feed. Vasudevan said the proposed fish park was likely be established in Sindhudurg district as it is well-connected, it is nearer to Goa and the proposed international airport at Parule-Chipi. Officials from the state department of fisheries noted that the proposed project could boost employment by providing jobs to the educated unemployed and sector specialists and promote ancillary industries.

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