With a view to give fish exports a fillip, the Maharashtra Government has earmarked 10 acres of land at Palghar in neighbouring Thane for setting up a laboratory for diagnosis of contagious diseases in fish. The decision was taken at today's cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

The total fish exports to USA, Western Gulf countries is about 30 to 35 per cent. "For quality tests of the fish, it is sent to Centre owned labs in Hyderabad and Chennai and hence the decision to set up a lab in the state has been taken," officials said. Fish harvesting is done in semi salted water in the state and white spot disease affects the quality of prawns.