In a remarkable ascent, India has joined the ranks of top global players in fisheries and aquatic farming, driven by decade-long policy successes. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh revealed that seafood exports have doubled in value thanks to superior processing, logistics, and supportive frameworks, as stated during a high-profile summit with representatives from 40 nations.
Pushing for sustainability, India is implementing the 2025 National Traceability Framework, revised SEZ rules, and High Seas Fishing Guidelines to enhance regulatory adherence and openness. Focus areas include boosting export-oriented development in island territories like Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
Opportunities abound for global partners in cutting-edge aquaculture, mariculture tech, cold storage chains, fishing vessel innovations, digital oversight, collaborative R&D, tech sharing, climate adaptation strategies, eco-friendly management, market growth, and private investments.
Discussions at the event highlighted deepening ties between India and international counterparts in seafood sectors. Central themes revolved around ocean health amid climate challenges, responsible practices, tech exchanges, innovative green solutions, skill development, supply networks, and emerging fields like decorative fish and seaweed production.
State Minister Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel noted seafood’s critical contributions to nutrition, food security worldwide, job creation on a massive scale, and national economies. The department’s end-to-end value chain approach guarantees sustainable progress across the board.
Meanwhile, George Kurien, another Minister of State, celebrated aquaculture’s explosive growth with steady production rises. Aiming for Rs 1 lakh crore in exports, the industry notched a 21% value jump in just seven months, underscoring its dynamic trajectory.