To counter trade ban, fisheries sector eyes new markets with eco-friendly label : About 10 Indian marine and saline fish and shrimp varieties are set to get the global Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification soon. The first batch is set to be submitted for the certification in 2026.
According to experts, the certification is likely to increase the revenue of the fisheries sector by 30% and help fishermen and traders find new markets other than the U.S. in the event of further trade restrictions due to the higher tariffs. The certification will also help fishing communities begin ecologically sustainable fishing practices and ensure steady incomes.
Fisheries Development Commissioner K. Mohammed Koya told The Hindu that the Union Government, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), would subsidise the certification process, which is done by third-party auditors. Mr. Koya said that global affluent markets, such as European and Japanese ones, are looking for sustainably sourced fish. “Sustainability is part of our fisheries. Some of our fish varieties may not immediately qualify for sustainable segregations, but many of the varieties are amenable to certification. Once we re-certify the fish, the advantages that we get include access to the best markets. It is a way of certifying the fish so that it gets a better price,” he said.
Experts said the certification process is in its final stages and they are addressing the technical gaps, including stock assessments for shrimp, squid, cuttlefish and octopus, which are part of the new varieties that await MSC certification. It is primarily based on the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing and Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries. Speaking recently at a technical session jointly hosted by the MSC and the Sustainable Seafood Network India (SSNI) and the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), MSC’s India head Ranjit Suseelan said the prioritised fisheries are in the advanced stages of assessment, raising expectations of MSC certification in the next year.
Gillnet-caught blue swimming crab, trawl-caught karikadi shrimp, trawl-caught Indian nylon shrimp (Deep Sea Shrimp), trawl-caught Indian nylon shrimp (two types), trawl-caught Indian squid, trawl-caught poovalan shrimp, trawl-caught pharaoh cuttlefish, trawl-caught webfoot octopus, trawl-caught flower shrimp, and thread fin bream fishery are the varieties currently under the fisheries improvement project of the MSC. Other than this, six species of Grouper fish from Kanyakumari, pole-and-line-caught skipjack tuna from Lakshadweep Islands, trap-caught spiny lobster from Kanyakumari, trawl-caught flower shrimp from the Gulf of Mannar, gillnet-caught oil sardine from Kollam, Kerala, Ashtamudi-clam from Kerala and gillnet-caught Mud crab and scylla serrata from Odisha’s Chilka Lake are the new fisheries aiming for certification.
Mr. Suseelan said MSC-certified products often fetch a price premium of up to 30% in international markets, boosting India’s seafood export potential. Seafood exporters feel that such certifications will help India overcome trade barriers in global markets. “Eco-labels and sustainability certifications help enhance acceptance among consumers with a strong market penetration. This will boost India’s bargaining power in the global trade of seafood”, Abraham Tharakan of SEAI said. Dr. Sunil Mohamed, Chairman of the SSNI, said it is a market-driven label certification, known as an eco-label which is voluntary and ensures sutainability in the sector. “20% of global fisheries are MSC certified at present. Ashtamudi clam was the first variety to get MSC certification and i was lapsed. it’s going to be re- certified now. This certification will ensure that there is sufficient stock of he fish so that the fishery can be continued,” he said.