Kochi: A panel of stakeholders in Indian marine fisheries sector has prioritized ten fisheries in the country for getting eco labelling certification from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the London-based organization that sets standard for sustainable fishing.
Kochi: A panel of stakeholders in Indian marine fisheries sector has prioritized ten fisheries in the country for getting eco labelling certification from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the London-based organization that sets standard for sustainable fishing.
A panel discussion jointly organized here on Thursday by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute(CMFRI), MSC and World Wildlife-India (WWF) decided to start fishery improvement projects for blue swimming crab, shrimp, red ring shrimp, squid, whelk, flower shrimp, cuttlefish, lobster, skipjack tuna and Japanese threadfin bream, considering their commercial importance.
Dr Yemi Oloruntuyi, head, developing world programmes of MSC said maintaining sustainability of fisheries is crucial to increased acceptance in overseas markets. “Today, it is increasingly a risky a business to sell seafood products that are not sustainable”, she said. “Sustainability provides competitive advantage creating opportunity for well-managed fisheries. Certification and eco-labelling helps to demonstrate sustainability.”
The meet that included marine scientists, seafood exporters, fishermen representatives and retailers observed that unanimous efforts are required to implement fishery improvement projects (FIPs) prior to fulfilling the high standards for the MSC certification.
“Increasing trend of certification of fisheries will greatly help conserve the resources for future generation. In the world, 28 % of fisheries are over exploited”, Oloruntuyi said.
Sunil Mohammed, principal scientist of CMFRI said the certification would bring in improved economic opportunities and market access for the fishing industry of the country, in addition to enhanced international reputation for the quality of Indian fishery management.
“The eco-labelling certification will boost India’s share of seafood export which is currently 4% of the global trade. It will help the fishery fetch a well-accepted markets in European and North American countries”, he said. Among the 338 MSC certified fisheries from 36 countries, India has so far only one fishery namely short-necked clam in Ashtamudi lake, he added.
A sustainable seafood network of 12 members representing CMFRI, CIFT, MPEDA, seafood industry, retailers, trawlers, traditional fishermen and NGO was also launched to accelerate the measures for maintaining sustainable practices in seafood industry. Dr Sunil Mohammed is the chairman of the network.
A panel discussion jointly organized here on Thursday by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute(CMFRI), MSC and World Wildlife-India (WWF) decided to start fishery improvement projects for blue swimming crab, shrimp, red ring shrimp, squid, whelk, flower shrimp, cuttlefish, lobster, skipjack tuna and Japanese threadfin bream, considering their commercial importance.
Dr Yemi Oloruntuyi, head, developing world programmes of MSC said maintaining sustainability of fisheries is crucial to increased acceptance in overseas markets. “Today, it is increasingly a risky a business to sell seafood products that are not sustainable”, she said. “Sustainability provides competitive advantage creating opportunity for well-managed fisheries. Certification and eco-labelling helps to demonstrate sustainability.”
The meet that included marine scientists, seafood exporters, fishermen representatives and retailers observed that unanimous efforts are required to implement fishery improvement projects (FIPs) prior to fulfilling the high standards for the MSC certification.
“Increasing trend of certification of fisheries will greatly help conserve the resources for future generation. In the world, 28 % of fisheries are over exploited”, Oloruntuyi said.
Sunil Mohammed, principal scientist of CMFRI said the certification would bring in improved economic opportunities and market access for the fishing industry of the country, in addition to enhanced international reputation for the quality of Indian fishery management.
“The eco-labelling certification will boost India’s share of seafood export which is currently 4% of the global trade. It will help the fishery fetch a well-accepted markets in European and North American countries”, he said. Among the 338 MSC certified fisheries from 36 countries, India has so far only one fishery namely short-necked clam in Ashtamudi lake, he added.
A sustainable seafood network of 12 members representing CMFRI, CIFT, MPEDA, seafood industry, retailers, trawlers, traditional fishermen and NGO was also launched to accelerate the measures for maintaining sustainable practices in seafood industry. Dr Sunil Mohammed is the chairman of the network.