Tropical Fish Centre nets 6 awards at 'Aquarama 2007'
Shirajiv Sirimane
WIN: For the first time Tropical Fish Centre, a local
ornamental fish breeding company set up just three years ago, won 6
awards at the 'Aquarama 2007 International Fish Competition' held in
Singapore last month. Chairman of the Company Ariya Kannangara said that
there is increasing demand for locally bred ornamental fish. Last year
Sri Lanka has exported ornamental fish to the value of Rs. 800 million
and this figure is expected to increase by the end of this year.
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Awards: Senior Aqua culturist Ms. Champa Dissanayake, M. Upali and
Vibhu Perera at the Aquarama 2007 International Fish Competition
in Singapore last month with their awards.
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"The company within 6 months of exports since November 2006 secured 6
fish farms with an extent of over 25 hectares and was able to export
ornamental fish.
"Within 3 months the company was achieving an export turnover of over
3.0 million rupees per month and within 6 months was able to win these
awards in the Guppy category of the competition, which has been a great
achievement," he said. Many Asian suppliers participated in this event
and Sri Lankan companies won a total of 13 awards.
Kannangara who is also the Chairman of Trico International said that
the company also secured the second prize for the New Species (captive
bred) category which was also a new hybrid of the Endler Guppy strain.
Today Tropical Fish Centre (Pvt.) Ltd, breeds over 50 varieties of
other fresh water fish in addition to the 46 varieties of the Guppies.
It has also earmarked the program to breed the indigenous species of
fresh water fish which are endemic to Sri Lanka in close collaboration
with the The National Aquatic Development Authority as well.
Presently it exports to over 10 different countries. |
