Kerala - Kochi   

State should catalogue fish varieties, says Kalam

KOCHI: Kerala should catalogue its ornamental fish varieties and work on techniques to breed new varieties, the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has said.

Speaking at the valedictory session of ‘Ornamentals Kerala 2008,’ the international seminar on ornamental fish breeding, farming and trade, organised in connection with the ornamental fish exhibition, Mr. Kalam also suggested that the State should focus on research on genetic aspects of ornamental fish and specialise on those varieties which have market value.

After delivering the address, Mr. Kalam went for an open session where he sought questions from the audience. Elaborating on his vision for the development of ornamental fish breeding in the State, Mr. Kalam said the State government should identify a ‘young fellow of below 40- years of age’ as the mission director for ornamental fish development in the State. He should be given money and other assistance and also a small boat to travel and his task should be to catalogue all the ornamental fish varieties of the State, he said.

The mission director should also be given a term of three years, the former President said. Standardisation of breeding techniques for important Indian fish varieties, development of a common fish feed that can enhance the colour of fish and popularising of ornamental fish farming at the village level should be accorded priority, he said.

Transgenic research on fish varieties was another area of focus suggested by Mr. Kalam.

The State should study the Singapore model of ornamental fish development and marketing. Unlike Singapore, the State has a vast shoreline and there is tremendous scope for development, he said. Focus should also be on entrepreneurship development, he said. Innovations in design of aquarium tanks were also needed. The State government and universities should support self-help groups and farmers in the development of value-added varieties and marketing, he suggested.

Mr. Kalam also released the book ‘Ornamental fish breeding, farming and trade’ at the function. Fisheries Minister S. Sarma presided over the function. Ornamentals Kerala 2008 chairman B. Madhusoodana Kurup presented the recommendations of the seminar. K.V. Thomas, MLA; Marine Products Export Development Authority chairman G. Mohan Kumar, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology Director K. Devadsan, District Collector A.P.M. Muhammad Hanish, Fisheries Department Principal Secretary P. Prabhakaran and Fisheries Director G. Harikumar attended.

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