Fisheries Minister S. Sarma has asked the fishermen to explore different methods to tap tuna resources so that the exports in the seafood segment would increase. He speaking in the India International Seafood Show – 2008, jointly organised by Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Seafood Exporters Association of India.
He informed that the Indian government is taking all the necessary steps to export ornamental fish and for this an oceanarium has been set up in Kochi to help marine research projects. MPEDA chairman G. Mohan Kumar states that the seafood export was confronted with issues such as appreciation of the rupee, acute shortage of raw material and imposition of anti-dumping duty on Indian shrimps by the U.S.
According to MPEDA the fish catch in the eastern and western coats of India has fallen drastically which had resulted a plunge in exports to the tune of 19.3 percent, 14.8 percent and 3.49 percent in quantity, rupee realization and dollar appreciation respectively during April-December 2007 in comparison to the same period in 2006.
MPEDA informed that the case of tuna export is somewhat different, there was a rise of 44.3 percent, 53.1 percent and 70.9 percent respectively. The number of processors has been increased to meet the rising export of tuna in value-added forms. The MPEDA has assisted the development of new technologies in fisheries. According to Sarma MPEDA has targeted a value addition of 75 percent by 2012.
Sarma informed that MPEDA has decided to launch a brand equity campaign with a view to improving exports. It would focus on exploitation of tuna resources and diversification of aquaculture species, says Sarma.
