The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Tap tuna riches to boost seafood exports: Minister

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Saturday, Feb 09, 2008
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Tap tuna riches to boost seafood exports: Minister

Staff Reporter

International seafood show inaugurated in Kochi

‘Oceanarium in Kochi to help marine research’
MPEDA assisting development of new technologies

KOCHI: Fisheries Minister S. Sarma has called for exploring methods to focus on untapped tuna resources to boost exports in the seafood segment. He was inaugurating 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, here on Friday.

The Minister said the State government was taking steps to export ornamental fish. An oceanarium to be set up in Kochi would be of immense help to marine research projects, he said. The Minister distributed awards instituted by the MPEDA for excellence in various categories.

G. Mohan Kumar, chairman of MPEDA, said 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. Reduced fish catch in the eastern and western coasts of India had resulted in a fall in exports to the tune of 19.3 per cent, 14.8 per cent and 3.49 per cent in quantity, rupee realisation and dollar realisation respectively during April-December 2007, compared to the same period in the previous year. But in the case of tuna export, there was an increase of 44.3 per cent, 53.1 per cent and 70.9 per cent respectively. More processors have commenced export of tuna in value-added forms.

He said the MPEDA was assisting the development of new technologies in fisheries. It was targeting a value addition of 75 per cent by 2012. A brand equity campaign would be launched with a view to improving exports. The MPEDA would focus on exploitation of tuna resources and diversification of aquaculture species, he said.

A.J. Tharakan, vice-chairman, MPEDA, said the Indian seafood industry had touched exports worth $1.86 billion, with a share of 2 per cent of the Indian export kitty. The seafood show aims to bring together Indian seafood processors and overseas buyers. There will be face-to-face interaction and deliberations between overseas buyers and Indian processors. The MPEDA will also present a series of technical papers on various subjects. K.G. Lawrence, regional president of Seafood Export Association of India; and Tathagata Satpathy and V.Harirama Jogaiah, MPs; were among those who spoke.

A variety of seafood products, machinery and other inputs required for processing of seafood are on show at the exhibition. The three-day show will conclude on February 10.

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