Australia on mission to boost India’s aquaculture industry

Harinder Sidhu, Australia’s High Commissioner designate to India, said that aquaculture has great potential to contribute to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and economic growth. She added, “But if the industry’s growth is at the expense of ocean health and conservation, then developing countries will not harvest long term social and economic benefits. 

The world’s population is expected to rise to 9.6 billion by 2050, with a rapidly expanding middle-class creating an enormous demand for food and sources of protein. As aquaculture farms supply 58 per cent of fish to global markets, invigorating this sector can contribute to food security, as well as social and economic inclusion for some of the world’s poorest people.” Sharing further information on the challenge, she explained, 

“The challenge focusses on three areas: rethinking feed, creating new ocean products and sustainable design. New feed replacements should eliminate or dramatically minimise their impact on wild fish stock, while having equal or greater nutritional value per dollar compared to commercially available fishmeal. 

Create new ocean products that vastly expand the range and quality of aquaculture products available for local communities and international market. Promote the adaptation and implementation of existing sustainable aquaculture farms or develop new farm designs to improve productivity and environmental and economic sustainability. 

We are also inviting funders as well as technical partners and innovators.” Sean Kelly, Australian Consul-General for South India, said the country is keen to partner with India across the full spectrum of fisheries and aquaculture activities. 

“The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is in the process of finalising a collaboration agreement with the Kerala-based Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and a collaboration arrangement on sustainable fisheries management between Austrade and Tamil Nadu’s Fisheries Department is ready to sign. 

A grant of Rs. 16.2 lakh will be awarded to the NGO Participatory Learning Action Network and Training (PLANT) to support a project to revitalise fishing grounds along North Chennai using unique Australian technology,” said Kelly. Dr Grayson Perry, Trade Commissioner, said that efforts are on to rope in educational institutions as well. 

“We are looking to tie-up with the TN Fisheries University and link them with Australian institutions for research. The TN government has called a tender for mother vessels, which will help fishermen increase their output and we hope to be a part of it,” said the trade commissioner. Dr R.T John Suresh, Executive Director of PLANT, said that their efforts to create and deploy artificial reef have been hugely successful.

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