June 7, 2023
Indian seafood industry calls for level-playing field in aquaculture to compete with global players
Jagdish Fofandi, president of Seafood Exporters' Association of India (SEAI), has called for the Indian seafood industry to have a level-playing field similar to Ecuador in shrimp aquaculture and Vietnam and Thailand in terms of wild catch, The Hindu reported.
Fofandi highlighted Ecuador's success in the US shrimp market, while Indian wild-caught shrimp faced a ban in the country for the past four years. He said that the Indian seafood industry should be afforded the same opportunities as its global counterparts.
During a dialogue on fishery certification for achieving sustainable development goals in India, Fofandi and Abraham Tharakan, a seafood industry veteran, expressed their views on expanding the area under aquaculture and creating a conducive ecosystem for its growth in the country.
The event received support and cooperation from SEAI, Sustainable Seafood Network of India, NITI Ayog, Marine Stewardship Council, and WWF.
Fofandisaid that despite challenges such as the slowdown in the Japanese market, the Indian seafood industry had surpassed the US$8 billion milestone in the 2022-23 period.
He said there is a decline in demand for surimi (fish paste) from India in the Japanese market, which significantly impacted surimi exports. The representatives also noted the drop in catch had not yet affected the market, but said there is a need to expand the area dedicated to shrimp aquaculture in India.
The industry experts pointed to Ecuador's remarkable progress in this field and called for the creation of a conducive ecosystem in India to level the playing field. They highlighted the challenges faced in Kerala, where the cultivation of Pacific white shrimp Vannamei has not gained momentum despite a significant portion of processed shrimp being imported from Andhra Pradesh.
Additionally, the area under aquaculture in Gujarat has significantly decreased, with production in South Gujarat dropping from 90,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes.
Fofandi said that aquaculture required more than just cultivation fields; it needed a supportive ecosystem to facilitate business growth. Factors such as the availability of quality seeds, feed, and reasonable electricity charges played a significant role in fostering a thriving aquaculture industry in India.
- The Hindu