Lanka among best ornamental fish exporters

Sri Lanka is now recognized as one of the best ornamental fish suppliers to the international market. “Sri Lanka began ornamental fish exports in 1950’s and I am pleased to announce that now we are recognized as one of the best ornamental fish suppliers in the international market.

We are taking 2.7% share of global ornamental fish market valued around $ 8.5 Million” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the equipment distribution ceremony for Ornamental Fish Producers on Saturday at Polonnaruwa Agri Export Zone Project. The event was organized by the Export Development Board under his Ministry.

During the event, Minister Bathiudeen also inspected the Oasis Fish Farm, one of many such farms spread across six AGA divisions in the Polonnaruwa District under the EDB project. Located in the Dimbulagala AGA division, the Oasis Farm is the largest in the project and spans almost 60 Acres.

Polonnaruwa District Project itself was launched in 2007 by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Rs 4.5 million has already been spent by the EDB to upgrade the fisheries in Polonnaruwa since 2007. It aims to provide required farm equipment to the export oriented ornamental fish growers to enhance the quality of fishes by provision of training on breeding, feeding and management aspects and also linking producers with exporters.

The latest event assists 225 beneficiaries under this project at a cost of 7.3 million. As a result of this project, survival rates of ornamental fish have increased from 50% to 90% and individual incomes of the assisted farmers have jumped by 30%.

All the 225 beneficiaries will receive training on ornamental fish breeding for exports.

Major buyers for Polonnaruwa ornamental fish are the USA, Japan and the European Union. There are about 40 companies regularly exporting from Sri Lanka.

Distributing Rs 7.3 million worth of equipment, Minister Bathiudeen said, “Our export status has been further strengthened by the development vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and I have no doubts that as a result of the Mahinda Chinthanaya vision and also due to your commitment to produce better ornamental fish, our position in the international market will continue to improve in time to come.” Joining the Minister during in the tour were Trade and Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa, EDB Director General Sujatha Weerakoon and EDB Executive Director Yousuf Maraikkar.