Exploitation of tuna resources, value-addition and diversification of aqua products is expected to take the seafood exports to $6 billion by 2015, according to a vision document prepared by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
MPEDA has also appointed ?Lintas Personal? as a consultant to promote a brand campaign for Indian seafood. The three-year contract with the agency will focus mainly on building a brand profile for black tiger shrimp, fresh water prawn, among others , MPEDA chairman G Mohankumar said. ?MPEDA will also help small-scale producers to access major retail markets through a system of co-branding,? he said. At present, more than 80% of the country?s $1.8 billion marine products exports are in bulk form without any brand equity. MPEDA has hired the service of George Skoutarides, a tuna long lining expert from Australia, to train fishermen in tuna long lining and onboard handling of the catch, he said.
In order to boost exports of value-added products, the government has brought 29 items under the focus product scheme enabling processors of these items to avail duty credit on exports made in the previous year.
Focus will be given for increasing the farming of species like seabass, grouper, tilapia and catfish to increase the diversification of aquaculture. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture, a non-profit society formed under the aegis of MPEDA, is expected to take the lead in field trails and dissemination of technology on commercial lines, he said.
Meanwhile, seafood exports dropped by 16 % in quantity and 14 % in value terms during April -June 2007-08, compared with same period a year ago, India exported 94,059 tonne valued at Rs 1430.91 crore during the period.
?The appreciation of rupee against dollar and poor fish landing during the period brought down export earning and quantity of exports? G Mohankumar said.