ICAR-CMFRI’s Marine Ornamental Fish Hatchery Inaugurated at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep
A Marine Ornamental Fish Hatchery established at Kavaratti by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was inaugurated on 10th January 2026, marking a significant step towards sustainable fisheries development in Lakshadweep.
The project, funded by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Government of India, aims at promoting marine ornamental fish enterprises in the Union Territory.
The facility was inaugurated by Shri Deepak Kumar, IAS, Honourable Advisor to the Administrator of Lakshadweep, in the presence of senior officials and scientists. Among those present were Dr. Grinson George, Director, ICAR–CMFRI; Shri Raj Thilak, IFS, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, UT of Lakshadweep; Dr George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT; Dr. Giri Sankar, IAS, District Collector, Kavaratti; and Shri K. Buzar Jamhar, DANICS, Director, Department of Fisheries, UT of Lakshadweep.
The hatchery has been established with the objective of promoting sustainable production of marine ornamental fishes, reducing pressure on natural reef ecosystems, and creating alternative livelihood opportunities for island communities. The state-of-the-art facility includes a broodstock holding unit equipped with a Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), larval and nursery rearing units, and a live feed culture section. It is also supported with essential infrastructure such as deep freezers, refrigerators for feed and medicine storage, microscopes, and an air-conditioned microalgae pure culture unit.
Addressing the gathering, the Honourable Advisor underlined the importance of sustainable utilization of marine resources and lauded the efforts of ICAR-CMFRI and other stakeholders for introducing advanced hatchery technologies in Lakshadweep. Dr. Grinson George highlighted the scientific and socio-economic relevance of the hatchery and reaffirmed ICAR-CMFRI’s commitment to strengthening sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in the islands.
The establishment of the Marine Ornamental Fish Hatchery is expected to play a vital role in capacity building, technology transfer, and the promotion of eco-friendly aquaculture practices, contributing significantly to blue economy initiatives in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
