SRI LANKA EXPORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD
 Welcome to srilankabusiness.com
Trade
Information
Economic Research
& Studies
E-promotions Publications
& Newsletters
Trade
Directory
Trade Statistics Trade
Events
Specila
Projects
Cyber Trader
Home l About Us l About Sri Lanka l Contact Us l Site Map  
Cyber Trader - The e-business Center@EDB Sri Lanka  Export Development Board
 
  Sri Lankan Products
 
Aquarium Fish, Aqua Culture and Seafood
Coconut and Coconut Products
Light Engineering Products
Foliage and Cut Flowers
Footwear and Leather Products
Fruits, Vegetables, Cereals, Cashew and other Agricultural Produce
Handicrafts
Handloom Textile Products
Information Communication Technologies (ICT)
Gems & Jewellery and Diamond Products
Granite and Mineral Sands
Plastic Products
Porcelain and Ceramic Products
Printing Services
Food, Beverages and Edible Oil
Apparel and Accessories
Rubber and Rubber Products
Other Services
Spices, Essential Oils and Medicinal Herbs
Tea
Toys
Wooden Furniture
  Potential Markets
  Trade Policy
  Sri Lanka Trade Guide
  Trade Agreements
   
   
   Sri Lankan Products
  You are in Trade Information > Sri Lankan Products > Aquarium Fish, Aqua Culture and Seafood
       
  Aquarium Fish, Aqua Culture & Seafood
  Aquarium Fish   Seafood
  Introduction
Aquarium fish, those attractive, eye catching finned creatures have been relief for mental stress and illness to generations of pet lovers world over. Since ancient times, “Ranmasu Poluna” (Gold Fish Pond) at Anuradhapura is a prime example to understand the advanced aesthetic taste of Sri Lankan ancestors. Over the years, the art of breeding, rearing and keeping aquarium fish has developed into a business becoming a great source of wealth and foreign exchange for the country. Sri Lanka is among few pioneering countries enter into the tropical ornamental fish trade in the world. Aquarium fish are bred and reared as lovable pets by the large number of small and medium scale producers who are dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality. Yet our quest for quality continues with on going research into breeding Sri Lanka’s endemic varieties under captive conditions, reiterating our commitment to offering high quality fish at competitive prices.
   
Products
The aquarium fish trade in Sri Lanka consist of freshwater, brackish water and Marine fish species. Freshwater aquarium fishes comprise the more colorful and more striking members such as, Live bearers eg. Guppies, Plates, Gold Fish eg. Fantails,Orandas, Redcaps Barbs
eg. Golden barbs, Rosy barbs Danios eg Zebra danio
Tetras eg. Serpae, Neon
Gouramis
Cat fishes
Cichlids eg. Angels,Oscars ,Discus Marine fish and invertebrates are collected by experienced scuba divers without the use of any chemicals and carefully quarantined to guarantee the best quality when they reach the customer. There are about 250 species of marine fish and more than hundred species of marine invertebrates to choose from. However, the restrictions being placed on the export and sale of wild caught species with the increasing concern of conservation Supply Base
Supplies mainly come from two sources. From Natural environments eg. wild caught marine fish and invertebrates and from captive breeding of exotic and indigenous freshwater varieties, which comprise about 60% of the total exports of aquarium fishes by value. Quality Standards
The quality of a exportable fish is generally assessed by their body appearance, behavior, sharpness and brightness of the colour and the body form. Sometime body of the fish may be deformed due to many reasons like nutrients deficiency and genetical reasons which will decreased the quality of fish. Appearance of the fins and their uniformity is very important in assessing the quality; also it should not damage or tear. To ensure the fish are in good health, a certificate issued by the Department of Animal Quarantine on health will be accompanied with each and every shipment

Certifications for Export
  • Health Certificate
  • Certificate of Origin
  • GSP Form A for marine fish or plants
  • Permit for restricted species
  • Water quality certificate
Related Institutions/Associations
  • National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA)
(Ornamental Fish Exchange Centre)
  • Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
  • Department of Wildlife Conservation
  • Department of Animal Quarantine and Health
  • National Aquatic Resources and Research Agency ( NARA)
  • Department of Forest.
  • Department of Commerce
  • tion of Live Tropical Fish Exporters of Sri Lanka.

  Introduction
Fishery Industry is one of the oldest industries in Sri Lanka, that significantly contributed to the development of the country over the last two decades. Also, it is a fast going importance in the Sri Lankan economy. Its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 2.7% in 2005, directly employing about 160,300 persons and another 50,000 persons in related activities. However, over 700,000 people depend on fishery industry for their livelihood. 29,312 boats were engaged in fishing in 2005. The per capita consumption of fish is around 9.37 Kg. per annum in 2005. Sri Lanka was able to earn Rs. 9.59 bn. worth of foreign exchange from Seafood Sector in 2005.
The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) where Sri Lanka has jurisdiction over, is the ocean area of 517,000 Sq. km., which is roughly six times of her land area.
The catch levels and landings indicate that the coastal fisheries is nearing its maximum sustainable yield. (MSY). However, the offshore and deep sea fisheries have a much higher potential that is yet to be exploited.

Products
1.Tuna
2. Prawns
3. Crabs
4. Lobsters
5. Fish Fresh or chilled
6. Frozen fish
7. Preserved fish such as Maldive fish, shark, fins, fish maws, sprats
8. Cuttle fish
9. Mussels
10. Beche-de-mer

Supply Base
Export quality fresh fish mainly supply by foreign vessels, trollers and multi-day boats. Other than local supplies Sri Lanka import fresh fish from Maldives, Yemen and Thailand for export processing during off-seasons.Coastal fishing for local consumption (year-round fishing) Seasons :
February – April Trinco Season
August - February Southern Season

Technology
Fishing Technology

Processing Technology

Long line

Freezing

Hand line

Chilling

Gill Net

Fresh smoking

Treatment

Deep Frozen/Super Frozen

Quality Standards
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
European Union Requirements (Standards)
BRC – British Retail Consortium
FDA – Food & Drug Administration, USA
SLSI – Sri Lanka Standard Institute
ISO 22000

Certifications for Export
(1)Health Certificate (Food Safety Certificate) Issued by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (2) Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP) Certification Issued by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(3) Approvals to Export to European Union
(EU) & USA (Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources is the Competent Authority appointed by European Union issue license)

Related Institutions/Associations
  1. Ministry of fisheries & Aquatic Resources
  2. Dept. of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources
  3. Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI)
  4. Industrial Technology Institute (ITI)
  5. National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA)
  6. National Aquatic Resources & Research & Development Agency (NARA)
  7. SGS Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.
  8. Seafood Exporters Association
  9. Consortium for the Development of Aquaculture
  10. Aquaculture Development Alliance



      Seoul International Seafood Show- 2007 www.seoulseafood.com
      Busan International Seafood and Fisheries Expo - 2007 www.busanseafoodexpo.com