Union Minister of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Parshottam Rupala, has unveiled a report showcasing the robust health and sustainability of India’s marine fish stock. This report, titled ‘Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022,’ was conducted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and reveals that an impressive 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks assessed in 2022 were found to be in excellent health.
The report’s findings not only signify a remarkable achievement in India’s commitment to sustainable marine fisheries but also serve to strengthen the country’s position at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is anticipated that this revelation will positively impact India’s standing in international trade negotiations, particularly in the realm of seafood exports.
Furthermore, the report highlights a significant reduction in unsustainable practices, with just 4.4% of the assessed stocks facing overfishing. Dr. A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI, expressed that these findings could be a game-changer in the seafood market. They may enable India to access premium markets and command higher prices for its seafood products, as sustainability has become a pivotal criterion in global seafood trade.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan emphasized that these findings reflect the collective efforts of the marine fisheries sector in striking a balance between economic growth and ecological conservation. In addition to the report, CMFRI also released a special publication titled ‘Good Management Practices in Seaweed Farming.’
Interestingly, CMFRI has identified 333 prospective seaweed farming sites covering 23,950 hectares in India. Collaborating with the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai, they have created an interactive map of these sites. Despite having immense potential with a seaweed production capacity of 9.88 million tonnes wet weight annually, current production stands at a mere 52,107 tonnes wet weight each year.
Seaweed farming, if fully harnessed, has the potential to generate revenue of up to Rs 13.28 lakhs per hectare annually on a dry-weight basis. This indicates a significant opportunity for India to tap into the potential of seaweed farming, contributing to economic growth and sustainability in the marine sector.