ICAR-CCARI Organizes Stakeholder Meeting to Promote Ornamental Aquaculture in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra

A strategic stakeholder meeting aimed at advancing ornamental aquaculture in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, was convened on 18^th June 2025 at the ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa. The primary objective was to explore the immense potential of the region for ornamental fish farming and initiate the groundwork for framing a dedicated District Ornamental Fish Culture Policy for Sindhudurg. The meeting brought together members of the Pratibha Fisheries Development Co-operative Society, and was facilitated by the ICAR-CCARI team. This initiative is part of a broader effort to transform Sindhudurg into a national-level hub for ornamental aquaculture, leveraging its rich aquatic biodiversity, favorable climate, and strategic coastal location. It was highlighted that the Government of Maharashtra has already allocated funding to District Cooperative Banks to support ornamental fish culture development. The District Bank of Sindhudurg has expressed readiness to implement interest subvention schemes, which will significantly reduce financial barriers for ornamental fish farmers and entrepreneurs. During the deliberations, Shri Trivesh Mayekar, Scientist, ICAR-CCARI, emphasized the importance of conserving and promoting indigenous ornamental fish species of Sindhudurg through captive breeding while building a sustainable and economically viable ornamental aquaculture ecosystem. He urged the cooperative society to consider transforming into an Ornamental Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPO) to enhance access to institutional support, subsidies, training, and market linkages. He proposed that the future policy framework be structured around three core components: Strengthening and modernizing existing ornamental fish units, Facilitating the establishment of new units by aspiring entrepreneurs and developing integrated models combining hatchery, grow-out, and marketing infrastructure

    Stakeholders shared valuable field-level insights, emphasizing the need for customized subsidy models based on farmers' experience and operational scale. They highlighted critical challenges in breeding, marketing, export pricing, logistics for live fish parcels, and regulatory bottlenecks. A key suggestion was made to reform loan and guarantor conditions, allowing farmers to act as mutual guarantors and ensuring that mortgage requirements are limited to farm-related assets rather than personal property. The participants also strongly advocated for the development of essential infrastructure, including dedicated ornamental fish hatcheries, broodstock development units, live feed production facilities, and a regionally located ornamental fish feed manufacturing plant. To position Sindhudurg as a model hub for ornamental aquaculture, several strategic components were discussed. These included skill development and capacity building through regular hands-on training, certification, and awareness programs for farmers, women, and youth, supported by national skill development missions. It was recommended to establish a dedicated R&D centre for ornamental fish breeding, health management, and research on indigenous ornamental species in collaboration with ICAR-CCARI and state universities. Farmers were also advised to develop digital platforms or mobile applications to facilitate e-marketing, logistics tracking, and direct farmer-to-consumer linkages under relevant startup and innovation schemes. Additionally, the establishment of eco-tourism units such as ornamental fish parks and community aquariums was encouraged to promote tourism, public engagement, and supplementary income generation. ICAR-CCARI scientists highlighted the importance of a cluster-based development model, promoting species-specific clusters with shared infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and achieve economies of scale. Finally, the formulation of a comprehensive export promotion strategy for Sindhudurg’s ornamental fish sector was proposed, including branding, participation in global aquaculture expos, and collaboration with MPEDA for improved international market access, while ensuring adherence to environmental sustainability principles. The meeting concluded with a hands-on exposure visit to ICAR-CCARI’s ornamental fish units, including breeding and larval rearing systems, live feed labs, and the public aquarium, giving participants practical insights into modern aquaculture technologies. The event was successfully coordinated by Shri Trivesh Mayekar, Dr. Sreekanth G. B., Scientists, and Mr. Harshvardhan Shetye, Young Professional, ICAR-CCARI. This landmark initiative marks a significant step toward positioning Sindhudurg as a national leader in ornamental aquaculture. By combining scientific innovation, farmer empowerment, institutional collaboration, infrastructure development, digital integration, and export readiness, Sindhudurg has the potential to evolve into a model hub of ornamental fish culture, setting an example for other coastal districts across India.