The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying will launch a new strategic plan for ornamental fish farming across India. The Vice President will formally release Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 during an event in Agatti, Lakshadweep on 31 August 2026. The plan aims to develop India’s ornamental fisheries sector in a sustainable and organised manner.
What the plan contains
Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 will establish uniform operating procedures and management standards for the ornamental fish industry nationwide. The strategic action plan covers the entire supply chain, from breeding and hatchery work through to sale in aquariums and export.
- Standard procedures for breeding, hatchery operations and production systems
- Rules for quarantine, animal health checks and disease management
- Quality assurance and biosecurity standards across all operations
- Certification and traceability systems to track fish from farm to market
- Guidelines for handling, transport and trade of ornamental species
The plan will also build skills among farmers and traders, improve product quality, help businesses get certified for international markets, and support the sector to grow in an organised and competitive way globally.
Lakshadweep has been identified as a dedicated seaweed cluster for cultivation and processing. The island’s marine resources, which account for roughly 17 percent of India’s total oceanic economic zone, are considered well-suited for ornamental fish farming and other high-value fisheries activities.
What this means for you
If you are a fish farmer or trader in ornamental species, the new standards will set clear rules for how you breed, rear, transport and sell fish. This can improve market access and help you get international certifications. For Lakshadweep residents and other coastal communities, the plan opens new income-earning opportunities in a growing industry that is still largely underdeveloped in India compared to other countries.