Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, visited the Padimuneeswarar Integrated Ornamental Fish Farm in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, on October 12, 2026, to assess the progress of the ornamental fisheries cluster notified under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). During the visit, the Secretary emphasized quality broodstock, scientific breeding, biosecurity, and market linkages while encouraging promotion of high-value indigenous species and collective efforts to enhance access to technology, institutional finance, and markets.
The government is implementing a cluster-based development approach with 34 notified fisheries clusters being developed across the country through coordinated interventions covering production, input supply, infrastructure, capacity building, processing, value addition, branding, logistics, and market linkages. The Padimuneeswarar farm was established under PMMSY at a project cost of ₹25 lakh and breeds over 30 varieties of ornamental fish including guppy, platy, molly, swordtail, goldfish, koi carp, cichlids, and fighter fish. The unit operates four production cycles annually, producing approximately 2 lakh ornamental fish seeds per year and generating an estimated annual income of ₹3.75 lakh, supplying domestic markets in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
India's overall fisheries sector has shown significant progress with fish production reaching 197.75 lakh tonnes during 2024-25, while marine product exports reached an all-time high of ₹73,890 crore in 2025-26 despite global trade challenges. The ornamental fisheries segment represents a specialized high-value sector encompassing fish breeding, broodstock and seed production, live feed, aquarium accessories, and related products. Under PMMSY, 2,672 ornamental fish rearing and integrated breeding units have been approved nationwide, comprising 2,465 rearing units and 207 integrated units, along with five freshwater ornamental fish brood banks and 144 recreational fisheries units, with total approved investment of ₹230.45 crore up to 2024-25.
According to ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, the Indian ornamental fish industry is estimated to be worth approximately ₹3,000 crore, including breeding, trade, aquarium accessories, aquatic plants, and decorative products. Marine Products Export Development Authority data shows India exported approximately 59.73 tonnes of ornamental fish products valued at ₹16.94 crore during 2024-25. The sector possesses considerable potential for small-scale enterprises, women's Self-Help Groups, rural youth, and start-ups due to its relatively limited land and water resource requirements.