Experts said that the initiative responds to an official strategy to increase exports.

According to preliminary statistics, the Island has reported revenues of nearly one million dollars over the past five years by concept of exports of such species as goldfish, angelfish, tetras, gourami and guppy, among others.

As an example, the experts said that 400,000 specimens, of which 80 percent was freshwater fish, were exported in 2000.

Tropical fish exports contributed 170,000 dollars in net profits to NACARI S.A., a firm attached to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

Companies and private collectors from Canada, France and Spain, among other countries, are among the main buyers of tropical fish.

By: Dtcuba