Women to raise pretty fish

Ornamental species at the district fisheries unit in Jamshedpur. Telegraph picture As eye-catching fish in aquariums become a lifestyle choice in urban homes and hotels, members of women's self-help groups in Jamshedpur and its outskirts can hook a lucrative livlihood. East Singhbhum district fisheries officer Amrendra Kumar Singh, who started the ornamental fish culture in the state to tap the aquarium market, will train women to raise good-looking fish varieties and earn a living. "We will be ready to train the members of women self-help groups in ornamental fish breeding in the next two-three months," said Singh. The district fisheries unit at Karandih has 72 cemented tanks with fresh water and brooder stock of different varieties. The sperm and eggs of fish that are specifically used as brooder stock are fertilised in scientific conditions and released in rivers. The brooder stock currently available with the department are Albino Red Eye (100), Blue Auratus (100), Yellow Auratus (100), Five-bar Cichlids (100), Powder Blue Tang (100), Red Top (100), Banana Wrasse (100) and Oscar Cichlids (200), among others. Going beyond training these women to raise the fish, the department will also sell the varieties on their behalf. Three XLRI students - Abhijeet Naik, Soumitra Verma and Sujit Kumar - have come forward to help the district fisheries department in developing market linkages. "The three XLRI students approached us after they came to know about our ornamental fish culture project and offered to help us in developing market linkages," Singh said. "We will provide fish seeds, tanks and water to the women and after they breed the ornamental fish, we will buy them and sell it in the market. We aim to remove the role of middlemen from this ornamental fish trade so that the women beneficiaries the maximum," the district fisheries officer added.