Round 10 Indian marine and saltwater fish and shrimp varieties will quickly obtain World Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. |Picture Credit score: Kr Deepak
Round 10 Indian marine and saltwater fish and shrimp varieties will quickly obtain World Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. The primary batch is ready to be submitted for certification in 2026.
In response to consultants, this certification is more likely to improve income for the fishing sector by 30% and assist fishermen and merchants discover new markets exterior america within the occasion of additional commerce restrictions on account of excessive tariffs. This certification helps fishing communities provoke ecologically sustainable fishing practices and safe steady incomes.
Fisheries Growth Commissioner Okay. Mohammed Koya stated. hindu The Union authorities is to subsidize the certification course of carried out by third-party auditors beneath the Pradhan Mantri Massa Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Koya stated rich markets around the globe, similar to these in Europe and Japan, are in search of sustainably sourced fish. “Sustainability is a part of our fisheries. Whereas a few of our fish species could not instantly qualify for sustainable isolation, many types are appropriate for certification. Recertifying our fish permits us to entry the perfect markets.
Consultants stated the certification course of is in its last phases and addressing technical gaps similar to inventory evaluation of shrimp, cuttlefish, cuttlefish and octopus, that are a number of the new varieties awaiting MSC certification. It’s based totally on the Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO) Code of Conduct for Accountable Fishing and Tips for the eco-labeling of fish and fisheries merchandise from marine seize fisheries.
Talking at a technical session collectively organized by MSC, Sustainable Seafood Community India (SSNI) and Seafood Exporters Affiliation of India (SEAI) just lately, MSC India Head Ranjit Suseran stated the prioritized fisheries are at a sophisticated stage of evaluation, elevating expectations for MSC certification subsequent yr.
Gill net-reared blue swimming crabs, trawl-raised Karikadi prawns, trawl-raised Indian nylon prawns (deep sea prawns), trawl-raised Indian nylon prawns (two sorts), trawl-covered Indian squid, trawl-raised Poobalan prawns and trawl-built planted thread fisheries are the present forms of MSC’s Fisheries Enchancment Undertaking.
Apart from this, six species of grouper fish from Kanyakumari, skip jack tuna raised in pole and line from Lakshadweep Islands, spiny lobster raised in traps from Kanyakumari, trawl-covered flower prawns from Gulf of Mannar, gill web oil from Kalala, mud ud from Kalabu from Karab Scylla Serrata from Odisha’s Chilka Lake are new fisheries aiming for certification.
Suseelan stated MSC licensed merchandise typically command a value premium of as much as 30% in worldwide markets, rising India’s seafood export potential. Seafood exporters really feel that such certification will assist India overcome commerce limitations within the world market. “Ecolabels and sustainability certifications will assist strengthen client acceptance with robust market penetration. This can improve India’s bargaining energy in world commerce in seafood,” stated Abraham Tarakan of Seai.
SSNI Chairman Dr Sunil Mohamed stated this is called an ecolabel, which is voluntary and is a market-driven label certification that ensures compensability for the sector. “Presently, 20 per cent of the world’s fisheries are MSC licensed. Ashtam Dikulam was the primary selection to get MSC certification, which has expired. Now it is going to be licensed. This certification will guarantee that there’s adequate inventory of his fish in order that the fishery can proceed,” he stated.
