Times News Network

Bangalore, May 27: Taking the cue from Israel, Karnataka will develop ornamental fish culture on a large scale through separate research units in Mangalore fisheries college and the fisheries institute at Hesaraghatta (Bangalore).

"Research will be done with Israel fisheries ministry. Both salt and fresh water ornamental fish will be developed," fisheries and horticulture minister B Nagaraja Shetty told reporters here on Friday.

Both colleges will research rearing, feeding, breeding and marketing with an eye on exports, Shetty, who has just returned from Israel, said.

Two scientists will be sent to Israel for training, after completing courses in Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. "There is high potential for ornamental fish culture in Karnataka.

Bangalore alone has more than 100 aquariums doing a turnover in crores," he said. The government also plans to develop 16 acres of the fish institute as an aqua park on the lines of IT parks, through public-private partnership (PPP).

Global trade in ornamental fish is an estimated $ 5 billion with annual growth of 8 per cent. Top exporting nations include Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Indonesia and India.

The largest importer is USA, Europe and Japan. India's overall domestic trade in ornamental fish is estimated to be nearly Rs 15 crore.