02-10-2008, 07:51 PM
Kerala Minister asks exporters to exploit tuna reserves
8 Feb, 2008
KOCHI: Kerala Fisheries Minister S Sarma today asked Indian entrepreneurs to switch over to exporting value added products and make use of untapped tuna reserves.
He was speaking during the India International Seafood show, which began here today.
The show began with a call to exporters to exploit the largely untapped tuna reserves and to expand brackish water aquaculture by introducing new varieties, including the Vannamie shrimp.
The state government had taken all effective measures to increase production of Ornamental fish. The state also had plans to set up an Oceanarium in Kochi, which would attract tourists and can be used for marine biological research.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Chairman G Mohan Kumar said rupee appreciation had cast a 'dark shadow' in marine product exports with exports likely to register a nearly 20 per cent fall this year.
The industry should reconcile itself to rupee appreciation and sharpen its competitiveness and increase their unit value realisation.
Efforts by MPEDA to launch brackish water aquaculture to newer areas like Gujarat and Maharastra has started bearing fruit, he said.
Stressing the need for aggressive marketing, he said MPEDA would soon be launching world wide brand equity campaign.
A J Tharakan, leading exporter and Vice Chairman, MPEDA, said the Indian seafood industry had moved from one crisis to the other. Aquaculture was focused on Black Tiger, demand for which was on the decline world-wide.
8 Feb, 2008
KOCHI: Kerala Fisheries Minister S Sarma today asked Indian entrepreneurs to switch over to exporting value added products and make use of untapped tuna reserves.
He was speaking during the India International Seafood show, which began here today.
The show began with a call to exporters to exploit the largely untapped tuna reserves and to expand brackish water aquaculture by introducing new varieties, including the Vannamie shrimp.
The state government had taken all effective measures to increase production of Ornamental fish. The state also had plans to set up an Oceanarium in Kochi, which would attract tourists and can be used for marine biological research.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Chairman G Mohan Kumar said rupee appreciation had cast a 'dark shadow' in marine product exports with exports likely to register a nearly 20 per cent fall this year.
The industry should reconcile itself to rupee appreciation and sharpen its competitiveness and increase their unit value realisation.
Efforts by MPEDA to launch brackish water aquaculture to newer areas like Gujarat and Maharastra has started bearing fruit, he said.
Stressing the need for aggressive marketing, he said MPEDA would soon be launching world wide brand equity campaign.
A J Tharakan, leading exporter and Vice Chairman, MPEDA, said the Indian seafood industry had moved from one crisis to the other. Aquaculture was focused on Black Tiger, demand for which was on the decline world-wide.