The Centre for Peninsular and Marine Fish Genetic Resources (PAGR), which is part of ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Kochi, has discovered three different viruses — Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), Cyprinid herpesvirus-2 (CyHV-2) and Carp edema virus (CEV) — that can threaten the ornamental fish industry. Sources in the Centre say that the viruses are not usually found in Kerala but, if measures are not taken to contain them, they can land the buoyant ornamental fish industry in trouble.
According to U.K. Sarkar, Director of PAGR, the institution is engaged in conducting disease surveillance in ornamental fish farms in the State as part of the pan-India programme on the National Surveillance for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD), which receives funding under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
