Awareness Programme on Direct Seafood Exports Conducted in South Andaman

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 22:The Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India, conducted an awareness programme for local fish exporters and traders of South Andaman District. The session focused on the procedures for certification and registration required for direct seafood exports from the Islands to international markets.
The programme was presided over by Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries), Mr. A. Sakthivel, Assistant Director, MPEDA, Kochi, and Mr. S. U. Maheswar Rao, Governing Body Member, NFDB. The programme witnessed active participation from key seafood exporters and traders of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Assistant Director of MPEDA shared valuable insights into promoting direct seafood exports, covering export procedures, quality standards, and MPEDA’s support programs. He also explained about the concept of a Common Chilled Fish Handling Unit, which would enable the processing of fish catch for export in live, chilled, or dry forms to foreign destinations with less capital investment as compared to a conventional Processing Plant. The stakeholders present raised few queries regarding the export licensing process, laboratory testing, and the establishment of chilled fish export units, cost involved etc. which were duly clarified by the Official of MPEDA. The exporters expressed their willingness to embark on direct seafood exports under the technical guidance of MPEDA and the Department of Fisheries.
Dr. K. Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries), informed the participants that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration is taking active steps in collaboration with various authorities, including the Ministry of Fisheries, Govt. of India, Airport Authority of India, Customs Department, MPEDA, and EIA to facilitate the commencement of direct seafood exports. Mr. S.U Maheswar Rao, Governing Body Member, NFDB briefed the participants on various schemes of Govt. of India such as PMMSY which can be availed by the local fish traders and exporters to improve the value chain of the fish and fishery products.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. G. Amalatheeban, Assistant Director of Fisheries, South Andaman.