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. 

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1^st April, 2025.

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