Date: 2026-05-09Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Fisheries Secretary visits ornamental fish brood bank and interacted with Progressive Fish Farmers under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY) at Maharashtra
**Executive Summary**
On May 9, 2026, the Union Fisheries Secretary visited India’s first ornamental fish brood bank in Raigad, Maharashtra, to assess the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The visit focused on interacting with beneficiaries to identify ground-level challenges and evaluate the success of the ornamental fisheries sector. The goal is to strengthen the value chain and facilitate targeted policy support for future growth.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Brood Bank Achievements and Operations**
* The "Sam Discus" brood bank in Mangrul Village is the first of its kind in India, conserving and breeding over 25 varieties of ornamental fish.
* The facility utilizes more than 700 tanks and has produced approximately 7.7 lakh fish across 20 species.
* The project has generated ₹1.93 crore in revenue and created direct and indirect employment for 25–30 individuals.
* The facility complies with regulatory standards and is covered under government schemes including GAIS and NFDP.
* Exports are currently made to multiple international markets, including the USA, Italy, France, South Korea, China, and Nigeria.
**National Sectoral Growth under PMMSY**
* India hosts approximately 700 indigenous freshwater and over 300 marine species, with total ornamental exports estimated at ₹41 crore.
* PMMSY has supported 1,986 backyard rearing units, 6,018 fish kiosks/aquariums, and 117 retail markets nationwide.
* The government has established five freshwater brood banks and 199 integrated units to enhance the value chain.
* The Department of Fisheries has notified 34 production and processing clusters, including a dedicated ornamental fisheries cluster in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
**Fisheries Profile of Maharashtra**
* The state produced 5.9 lakh tonnes of fish in 2022–23, supporting over 15 lakh fisherfolk.
* Maharashtra's resources include an 877.97 km coastline and 4.10 lakh hectares of inland waters.
* Infrastructure improvements in aquaculture and hatcheries have been driven by the Blue Revolution and PMMSY schemes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Progressive Fish Farmers and PMMSY Beneficiaries**
**Impact**
They gain direct access to senior government officials to highlight ground-level gaps and challenges. Successful models like the Mangrul brood bank demonstrate the potential for high revenue and employment generation.
**Action Required**
Beneficiaries must continue to adopt best practices and engage with government assessments to facilitate targeted policy support.
**Department of Fisheries (MoFAH&D)**
**Impact**
The department gains on-ground assessments and stakeholder engagement data necessary for further strengthening the ornamental fisheries sector.
**Action Required**
The department must utilize findings from the visit to address production challenges and promote the 34 notified fisheries clusters across India.
**Ornamental Fish Exporters**
**Impact**
The focus on high-quality breeding and brood banks increases the availability of export-grade fish, helping to grow India's ₹41 crore export market.
**Action Required**
Exporters must ensure continued compliance with regulatory standards and leverage government schemes to expand their international market reach.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, providing the primary framework for funding ornamental fisheries initiatives.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The central government body responsible for policy formulation, regulatory oversight, and notifying fisheries production and processing clusters.
Raigad, Maharashtra: The central location for the visit and site of the first-of-its-kind ornamental fish brood bank established under PMMSY.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi: Union Fisheries Secretary who conducted the assessment visit to interact with beneficiaries and evaluate the ground-level impact of government schemes.
Blue Revolution: A referenced government scheme that supports infrastructure development, aquaculture, and fisher welfare in the state's fisheries sector.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Union Fisheries Secretary visits ornamental fish
brood bank and interacted with Progressive Fish
Farmers under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
Yojna (PMMSY) at Maharashtra
Posted On: 09 MAY 2026 6:33AM by PIB Delhi
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India, visited Ornamental Fisheries Brood Bank at Mangrul
Village in Raigad, Maharashtra established by Mrs. Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale under PMMSY.
Following the visit the union Secretary also interacted with beneficiaries of PMMSY to understand the
gaps and challenges faced on ground.
The Brood Bank visited by the union secretary is first initiative of its kind in India, conserves and breeds
more than 25 varieties of ornamental fish. Mrs. Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale has successfully
positioned her brand, “Sam Discus,” among the leading producers of high-quality discus fish in the
country. The brood bank has produced approximately 7.7 lakh ornamental fish across 20 species,
generating an estimated revenue of ₹1.93 crore and creating direct and indirect employment opportunities
for around 25–30 individuals. Equipped with more than 700 tanks, the facility also supports skill
development, employment generation, and the adoption of best practices, while contributing to export
potential in the ornamental fisheries sector. This Brood Bank complies with regulatory standards and is
covered under government schemes such as GAIS and NFDP. They export ornamental fish to USA, Italy,
France, Mauritius, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, China, Uzbekistan, Nigeria and Israel. It
reflects the effective utilization of government support in promoting innovation, sustainability, and growth
in the fisheries sector.India hosts about 700 indigenous freshwater and over 300 marine species available domestically,
reflecting vast resource potential. India’s ornamental fisheries exports are estimated at around ₹41 crore,
reflecting the sector’s growing contribution to the economy. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
Yojana (PMMSY), ornamental fisheries are emerging as a high-potential sector in India, supported by rich
biodiversity and growing domestic and global demand. A total of 1,986 Backyard Ornamental FishRearing Units, 6,018 fish kiosks and aquariums, and 117 retail markets including dedicated ornamental
fish and aquarium markets have been supported under the PMMSY. Additionally, five Freshwater
Ornamental Fish Brood Banks and 199 Integrated Ornamental Fish Units have been established,
significantly strengthening the ornamental fisheries value chain and enhancing production, marketing and
livelihood opportunities across the country. The Department of fisheries, Government of India has notified
34 fisheries production and processing clusters across key areas across India, including Ornamental
fisheries Cluster in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Maharashtra has a strong fisheries sector supported by both marine and inland resources. With a 877.97
km coastline, 173 fish landing centres, and 526 fishing villages, it supports over 15 lakh fisherfolk and
produced about 5.9 lakh tonnes of fish in 2022–23. Inland fisheries span 4.10 lakh hectares, including
reservoirs, rivers, ponds, and brackish waters. Through schemes like Blue Revolution and PMMSY,
Maharashtra has improved aquaculture, hatcheries, cages, infrastructure, and fisher welfare, though
challenges remain in effectively utilizing investments to significantly boost production. Raig
The visit is expected to play a crucial role in further strengthening and promoting the ornamental fisheries
sector by providing on-ground assessment, encouraging stakeholder engagement, and facilitating targeted
policy support.
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JP
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