Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031: Organising India’s Ornamental Fisheries

Current Context

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 at Agatti, Lakshadweep, on 31 August 2026.

Ornamental Fisheries: A High-Value Niche Sector

1. Definition: Ornamental fisheries involve the breeding, rearing and trade of fish primarily kept for aesthetic and aquarium purposes, rather than food.
2. Sources: Ornamental fish may come from captive breeding/aquaculture or collection from natural ecosystems.
3. Biodiversity Base: India has rich ornamental fish diversity, including 374+ indigenous freshwater species and 700+ indigenous marine ornamental species, according to the Department of Fisheries.
4. Regional Concentration: The Northeast and Western Ghats are important centres of freshwater ornamental fish diversity, while coral-rich areas such as Lakshadweep have major marine ornamental potential.
5. Untapped Potential: Despite its biodiversity advantage, India remains a small player in global ornamental fish trade, creating scope for organised expansion.

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031: Key Features

1. Scientific Production: Standardisation of broodstock management, breeding, hatchery and production systems.

• Broodstock management means the selection, rearing and maintenance of healthy adult fish used specifically for breeding and producing offspring.

1. Biosecurity: Strengthening quarantine, disease screening and health management to prevent disease transmission.
2. Quality Assurance: Establishing common standards for fish health, production and handling.
3. Traceability: Tracking ornamental fish across the farm-to-market supply chain.
4. Safe Trade: Guidelines for handling, packaging, transportation and domestic/international trade.
5. Certification: Better certification can help Indian producers meet international market and sanitary requirements.
6. Skill Development: Training farmers, entrepreneurs and traders can improve productivity, quality and market access.

Lakshadweep: A Strategic Focus Area

1. Marine Space: Lakshadweep has a very large maritime zone relative to its land area, providing opportunities for marine fisheries and other Blue Economy activities.
2. Marine Biodiversity: Lakshadweep’s coral atolls, lagoons and reef ecosystems provide favourable conditions for marine ornamental fisheries.
3. Species Diversity: Around 280–300 fish species recorded in Lakshadweep have ornamental value.
4. Seaweed Cluster: Lakshadweep has also been notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster, where seaweed cultivation, processing, value addition, storage and marketing are developed together as an integrated economic activity.

Ornamental Fisheries and the Blue Economy

1. Value Addition: Instead of simply harvesting aquatic resources, ornamental fisheries create value through breeding, rearing, certification, branding and trade.
2. Low-Space Enterprise: Small ornamental fish units can provide income opportunities with relatively limited land requirements.
3. Women’s Participation: Ornamental fisheries and seaweed cultivation have been identified under PMMSY as activities with potential for employment generation, particularly for women.
4. Export Potential: High-value ornamental species can generate foreign exchange through niche international markets.
5. Diversification: It provides an alternative livelihood stream alongside food fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.

Sustainability Challenges

1. Wild Collection: Excessive collection of wild ornamental fish can reduce natural populations and disturb reef and freshwater ecosystems.
2. Biodiversity Loss: Removal of breeding adults or juveniles can affect population structure and ecosystem balance.
3. Invasive Species: Release or escape of exotic aquarium fish into natural water bodies can lead to competition, predation and ecological disruption.
4. Disease Transmission: Movement of live fish across regions and borders can introduce aquatic pathogens.
5. Animal Health: Poor handling, overcrowding and unsuitable transport conditions can cause stress and mortality.
6. Genetic Risks: Uncontrolled breeding and movement of non-native strains can create genetic and ecological concerns.

Government Support and Existing Ecosystem

1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Supports ornamental fisheries through breeding, production units, infrastructure, marketing and logistics.
2. Ornamental Fish Infrastructure: PMMSY supports backyard ornamental fish-rearing units, integrated units, brood banks, aquarium kiosks and retail markets.
3. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): Supports testing, quality control and certification for ornamental fish intended for export.
4. Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI): Develops captive-breeding and hatchery technologies for marine ornamental fish, helping reduce dependence on wild collection.
5. Cluster-Based Development: Fisheries clusters can integrate the complete value chain — breeding → production → certification → marketing → export.
6. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Supports fisheries development through infrastructure, capacity building and technology adoption, complementing the broader fisheries ecosystem.

Way Forward: Sustainable Ornamental Fisheries

1. Captive Breeding: Shift progressively from wild collection towards scientific captive breeding, especially for high-demand species.
2. Species-Specific Regulation: Identify species that can be sustainably harvested and those requiring strict protection.
3. Biosecurity: Strengthen quarantine, disease surveillance and certification throughout the live-fish supply chain.
4. Invasive Species Control: Prevent the release of exotic ornamental fish into natural ecosystems.
5. Traceable Trade: Use digital traceability to establish where fish originated, how they were produced and how they moved through the supply chain.
6. Community-Based Enterprises: Promote SHGs, cooperatives and small entrepreneurs in breeding, rearing and marketing.
7. Ecosystem-Based Approach: Development of ornamental fisheries should remain compatible with the carrying capacity of coral reefs, lagoons, rivers and wetlands.

Conclusion:

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 can transform India’s ornamental fisheries into a scientific, sustainable and globally competitive Blue Economy sector.
Its success will depend on balancing economic opportunities with aquatic biodiversity conservation, biosecurity and responsible resource use.

FAQs

Q1. What is Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031?
Ans: It is a Strategic Action Plan for the scientific, organised and sustainable development of India’s ornamental fisheries sector.

Q2. Which ministry implements the initiative?
Ans: The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Q3. Where was Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 released?
Ans: At Agatti, Lakshadweep, on 31 August 2026.

Q4. Why is Lakshadweep important for ornamental fisheries?
Ans: Its coral reefs, lagoons and rich marine fish biodiversity provide strong potential for sustainable marine ornamental aquaculture.

Q5. Is Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 limited to Lakshadweep?
Ans: No. It is a national-level Strategic Action Plan for the development of India’s ornamental fisheries sector.