Min Visithuru Sri Lanka 2005 opens tomorrow:

Enduring Beauty of Marine Life Exposed

BY PRASAD Abu Bakr

THE colourful world of ornamental fish will be unveiled by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse tomorrow at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The event which is organised by the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) in collaboration with the Export Development Board (EDB) and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) is a compliment to an industry that has earned the prestige of earning a great source of wealth and foreign exchange specially amongst Asian countries.

This year's exhibition is the first under the flagship of the National Aquaculture Development Authority's recently appointed Chairman Kithsiri Dharmapriya who has steered his team towards making this gigantic annual event even a better and bigger success this year.

According to Economist for the National Acquaculture Development Authority Athula Senaratne Sri Lanka's ornamental fish exports include both freshwater and marine species. All fish from marine sources, he states, are caught from the wild.

When the share of exports of fresh water fish species is considered, a majority comprises captive bred species while a certain portion is captured from wild sources too. Among the species that have gained popularity are Live bearers such as Guppies, Platies, Sword tails.

Gold fish varieties which includes Fantails, Orandas, Black Moors, Redcaps. Barb category which consist of Tiger Barbs, Golden Barbs and Rosy Barbs and others comprises Sanios, Tetras and Chichilds.

The total retail value of the ornamental fish industry has been estimated at around US$ 3.billion annually and Singapore who has a 25% stake in the market in Asia which also contributes 50% of the world supply.

USA, Japan, Germany, France and Netherlands that are front runners importing from all over the world have contributed in a big way at not only keeping the ornamental fish trade afloat for over a decade but also adding an annual growth rate of 14% to it making it a viable means of trade for those involved in the trade.

Considered a non-essential luxury commodity the demand for ornamental fish are mostly from developed industrial countries and its onslaught upward trend has made it a very competitive business in Sri Lanka and in the region.

Countries in the region endowed with the right conditions have secured a large share of the global trade and Sri Lanka which has the distinction of being the first country in the world to collect and trade ornamental fish from the wild since the 1930s and continued to do so up to date, have secured a reasonable part of that share at present.

On a recent report submitted on the subject of 'Prospects for Ornamental Fish and Aquatic Plant Exports from Sri Lanka' Dr. D.E.M.Weerakoon Director General together with Economist of the National Aquaculture Development Authority Athula Senaratne, has suggested that the government should help by implementing suitable incentive schemes in areas such as concessions in airfreight and tax concessions for imported inputs and genetic materials.

It is highlighted that concessions in airfreight are quite important, as many of the competitive countries have already provided this incentive to their exporters.

Min Visithuru 2005 the International Exhibition of Ornamental Fish, Aquatic Plants and Accessories which opens tomorrow is aimed at attracting not only the 'big fish' in the industry but also the small time hobbyist who can further their interest in the field to grow as a full time small scale ornamental fish exporter.

An International Seminar on Global Ornamental Fish and Plant Industry is also coupled with the event which is designed to part with information regarding the subject not only amongst professionals in the trade but small time hobbyists and lovers of fish.

Director NAQDA Nimal Chandraratne the officer appointed to be in charge of organising the exhibition along with other officials explaining the entire format at this event said that there are Ornamental fish and aquatic plant exporters and importers (both marine and fresh water species), Ornamental fish breeders and collectors, Aquatic plant growers, fish feed, accessories and equipment suppliers (both local and foreign).

Some of the main features at the fair will be exhibition of marine ornamental fish and invertebrates, freshwater endemic and other exotic marine species. A selection of a large variety of aquatic plants will be on show together with a range of accessories and equipment.

Information on investment opportunities in the ornamental fish trade will be available to visitors who are interested together with visits to large operative fish farms. The Director further stressed that they have managed to find participants to occupy the entire number of 104 stalls this year.

Rearing fish was any little boy's passing fad in the days gone by, as children spending time brooding over one's fish tank at the sight of noticing a sick pet and doing everything within one's control to help it survive became an essential part of fish keeping at home.

Renewing the content water, adding new plants and ornaments and lining the tanks base with a variety of pebbles were chores that kept young fish lovers occupied at home.

Today Fish keeping has grown away from that mere childhood hobby that it was. Large hotel resorts and business houses use giant fish tanks as a part of their major interior decor layout using ultra modern techniques to keep the expensive marine life healthy and alive.

Vivid arrangements are planned to make the tanks appearance as exotic as possible, quite different from the small time childhood fantasy it used to be.

Min Visithuru Sri Lanka 2005 is geared to enable the public a glimpse of how further that childhood hobby has travelled since we were kids but strangely it will also showcase how the fantasy world of marine life has remained intact even amidst all its modern technocrats and hype leaving even the present day's children mysteriously baffled by its endearing beauty.