Colorful Fish app and Natural pearl culture, initiatives to Promote the ornamental Fish industry and Pearl Farming

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), with financial assistance from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, has developed the "Colorful Fish" app. The aim of the app is to promote the ornamental fish trade and aquaculture industry. This app is available in eight Indian languages, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Objectives of the Colorful Fish App:

1. To provide information on popular ornamental fish species and their care.
2. To promote local businesses through an active directory of aquarium shops.
3. To empower fish farmers and shop owners by increasing knowledge of ornamental aquaculture techniques.

Key Features and Benefits of the Colorful Fish App:

1. The app is available in eight Indian languages, ensuring accessibility for a diverse range of users.
2. It provides detailed information on the care, breeding, and maintenance of ornamental fish.
3. The app helps aquarium shop owners expand their businesses and offers fish enthusiasts easy access to reliable sources for ornamental fish and aquarium products.
4. It covers essential topics such as aquarium filtration, lighting, feeding, and daily maintenance.

Promoting Natural Pearl Culture: The Government of India, in collaboration with state governments, research institutions, and other relevant agencies, has taken several initiatives to promote natural pearl farming. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), 2307 bivalve cultivation units have been established at a cost of INR 4.61 crore.

Pearl Cluster and Hatchery Development:

• The Fisheries Department will assist pearl farmers by showcasing the economic importance of natural pearl farming on international and national platforms.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the development of pearl clusters and aquaculture clusters have been issued under PMMSY.
• A pearl farming cluster has been notified and developed in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
• ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has produced seed ranches in the Tuticorin region of Tamil Nadu, with 1.65 crore hatchery-produced seeds.
• The National Fisheries Development Board has reported the production of 1.02 lakh pearls in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.

Training on Freshwater and Marine Pearl Farming: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with state fisheries departments, has conducted 15 training programs on freshwater pearl farming for over 1500 participants over the past five years. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, has provided regional language training on marine pearl farming to over 400 participants in Kerala.