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| Sunday, 31 October 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Ornamental fish breeding - A lucrative business The future economic program of the present Government, announced by the Minister of Finance Dr. Sarath Amunugama covered a number of issues, and areas including Public Administration, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries Industries, Export Promotion, Textile and Garment industries and Small and Large Scale industrial construction. Under the fisheries industry, the attention has been drawn to the ornamental fish Industry, which has now become an integral part of it. This policy plan states that the promotion of ornamental fish industry is a policy of the government. Small and large scale ornamental fish breeders are glad that the government has drawn attention to an industry, which has contributed silently to the economy of the country, and with the potential to contribute immensely to the economy in the future. We may add that this is the first instance, a government of this country has paid any attention towards this particular industry. The National Ornamental Fish Development Foundation (NOFDF) consisting Ornamental Fish Breeders commend the government for this policy. History The history of the Ornamental fish breeding goes back as far as 1163. In the year 1841, M. Ward, a natural scientist, at the time introduced this ornamental fish keeping as a hobby, to the common man through the construction of an aquarium with fish. The word "Aquarium" (derived from Latin 'aqua' (water) ) was used to describe a "pond with fish" by V. H. Ghouse who took this culture of keeping, and breeding Ornamental Fish in a new and different direction. The reports of the existence of fish ponds at Ran Masu Uyana during the period of King Dutugemunu goes on to prove that ornamental fish breeding has a long history in Sri Lanka too, further it is believed that fish were kept in the security moats, surrounding the rock fortress at Sigiriya. rearing of ornamental fish which is considered by many to be the second largest hobby in the world, was initially popular among children. However, later on due to the influence of other causes, including results of various researches carried out by medical personnel, and others, there was a rapid expansion. Medicinal value It is an accepted belief in the field of medicine that watching the movements of ornamental fish can help those who suffer from heart ailments, and Hypertension etc. while it has been proved that it may contribute to the relief of mental stress of persons, who engage in such work. According to a research carried out by some scientists in 1980 at the university of Pennsylvania in the United States of America, persons who rear ornamental fish at home tend to live a happier, and stress free life. The number of persons who chose rearing ornamental fish as a hobby, is gradually increasing from 7 per cent to 10 per cent. The attempts made by Japan, some time ago to produce artificial ornamental fish by using high technology, proved futile as they were far from natural in every aspect. Importers Among the importers of Ornamental Fish nine countries could be identified as large scale importers i.e. Germany, United States of America, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Japan and Australia. Singapore had maintained a long time monopoly in the field of exports, through exporting more than 300 varieties of ornamental fish to forty-four countries. Sri Lanka too has expanded her market to forty countries in the recent past, thereby increasing its percentage in the global market from 3 per cent - 4 per cent (a significant increase from the earlier 1 per cent - 2 per cent) during the last two decades of 80s and 90s. Varieties Presently there exist a number of ornamental fish varieties worldwide, which has won the attention and interest of ornamental fish lovers and breeders. The total number of fish varieties available to the global market is around 1600, out of which 750 varieties happen to be fresh-water fish, which occupies 80 per cent - 90 per cent of the International Ornamental Fish trade. The remaining are tropical sea-water fish varieties, and other aquatic creatures. Out off all the above, some species have become immensely popular, i.e. Gold fish, Angels, Carp, Guppies, Molly, Platy, Sword tails, Oscar, Discus, Barbs and Tetra. popularity is something relative and may differ from country to country, and there is no uniformity. While the breeds such as Gold fish and Carp has a bigger demand in Germany, the buyers in the United States seem to prefer varieties such as Guppies, Molly and Sword tail in comparison. Breeding The techniques and methods of breeding Ornamental Fish vary from species to species. There is evidence to show that long-term research in breeding outside natural habitats had been carried out in case of some varieties of ornamental fish. The best example available is the 'discus' fish of Latin American origin, which was used for human consumption by the locals, despite the beauty of the creatures. The North American and European traders to Brazil witnessed the local inhabitants, catching this beautiful variety of fish for their consumption, and realized that was more lucrative to rear these green and brown coloured variety as Ornamental Fish, however, it seems that they did not succeed in finding the relevant information required to proceed further in this regard, later however, as a result of the researches carried out by several persons spending considerable amount of money in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru among others is South America, now the fish breeders and cultivators of the present day, are able to breed this species. It is reported that it was a person called W. T. Todd who was successful in breeding this variety of fish for the first time in 1949, outside their natural habitat. Knowledge It is learnt that in Sri Lanka, there is a considerable number of persons who are interested in entering but lack of knowledge prevent them from realizing this aim. Any person, who is interested in venturing into this industry, which is full of life and action, has initially to follow a practical training course before proceeding further. Subsequently, it will be imperative to find a market for their produce, a task which is quite difficult in the beginning. It is not uncommon that at times, they will be forced to sell their produce at a very low rate to large scale businessmen who are able to manipulate the market and the prices. NOFDF NOFDF has already provided necessary training and knowledge to selected rural groups followed by introducing their produce to the international market thereby affording them an opportunity to earn an income. We hope to expand this program further and envisage to establish an Independent Centre for large-scale sale of Ornamental Fish and to divert the income to small-scale cultivators. A significant number of species of fish endemic to Sri Lanka who live in their natural habitats are facing extinction due to the destruction caused to these habitats through industrialisation. Some of these varieties of fish endemic to Sri Lanka are even included in the Red Data Book. Unless steps are taken to remedy this situation, our future generations will only able to see them in the picture form. Hence as a responsible Organisation plans are afoot to establish a centre to preserve and protect local and foreign rare fish varieties which task we consider a duty and obligation towards the future generations. Technology The field and Ornamental Fish Industry, as it exists in Sri Lanka today, suffers from the lack of modern technological know how, which is essential to go forward with the International Market which is equipped with this knowledge. We too should acquire necessary technological know-how, for example today, they have already succeeded in breeding through using hormones. Fish feed which is nutritious, but does not dissolve in water is manufactured, and used along with different kinds of vitamins, medicines and even oxygen in tablet form thereby, saving time, labour, and money. In Sri Lanka using of these new methods spread quite slowly, hence to supplement this deficiency at least to some extent, the NOFDF has already taken steps to establish a library that could provide information, on the ornamental fish industry, locally, and internationally. It is further envisaged to open a laboratory for the purpose of carrying out research on different species of fish and the diseases affecting them. At the same time plans are under way to publish a quarterly magazine, for the benefit of all interested parties. In most countries such magazines, are published In Britain most notable are the two publications, "Aquarist and Pond Keeper" which has a circulation of 20,000-30,000 a month, and "Practical Fish Keeping" with a circulation of 35,000 copies a month. The time has already come to introduce a new culture to the ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka, which contributes to the national economy. According to the Board of Investment, this industry has earned, a sum of US$7829 million in 2000, US$5983 million in 2001 and US$5532 million in 2002 respectively. If you are interested please feel free to contact us at NOFDF, Kamkaru Sevana, 10/1, Attidiya Rd., Ratmalana. Phone 011-2626440/2846450. |
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