Question : SCHEMES BY MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORTS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

(a) the details of projects, promotional activities and schemes undertaken/ implemented by Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) in the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu during the last three years, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the potential of marine resources available in the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu have been fully utilized;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the corrective measures taken to tap its potential;

(d) whether the Authority has requested for establishment and strengthening of quality control laboratories to promote production and export of value added fishery and other marine products, if so the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto and the funds provided for the purpose;

(e) whether any proposal for promoting marine-aquaculture and seafood production in the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu is under consideration of the authority and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the further measures taken by the Government to boost export of value added fishery and other marine products?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

a) In order to boost the exports of marine products from the country, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is operating various Developmental / financial assistance schemes for the benefit of the seafood industry in the country. There is no separate scheme for Tamil Nadu. The details of the various financial assistance schemes are as under:

i) Capture Fisheries - for promotion of fishing of Tuna and other under exploited resources, providing interest subsidy for the construction of new tuna long liners and Assistance to fishermen for better preservation of catch.

ii) Processing Infrastructure & Value Addition – providing subsidy for acquisition of machinery for tuna cannery / processing of value added tuna product, financial support for acquisition of Refrigerated Truck / Containers and setting up Large Cold Storages, etc.

iii) Culture Fisheries – providing subsidy for new farm development, small and medium-scale hatcheries, setting up of PCR labs in hatcheries/Pvt. Lab, assistance for farmers for undertaking organic farming of shrimp and scampi, etc.

iv) Market Promotion – providing development assistance for export of Ornamental/Aquarium Fishes/Live Aquarium Plants, Sea Freight Assistance, and insurance scheme for workers in Seafood processing units, etc.

v) Quality Control – providing assistance to seafood processors for construction / renovation of captive pre-processing center with upgraded facilities, for setting up of Mini Laboratory, etc.

The details of other promotional activities conducted during the last 3 years are enclosed as Annexure I and the details of financial assistance provided by MPEDA to boost exports, state-wise and Tamil Nadu is enclosed as Annexure II.

b) & c)It is a fact that the potential of marine resources in Tamil Nadu has been fully utilized. Thepotential yield within 200 nautical miles in Tamil Nadu has been estimated to be 4.2 lakhs tons. Marine fish production in Tamil Nadu in 2013 was 6.87 lakh tons. It is clear that the Tamil Nadu fisheries have already crossed the potential yield of the region and therefore the scope for increasing the fish production from Tamil Nadu waters is limited. (Source: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute)

d) MPEDA has setup 19 ELISA Labs in India of which 2 are in Tamil Nadu, these labs test for the presence of banned antibiotics in shrimps meant for export to EU prior to their harvest. 3 NABL accredited labs with modern sophisticated equipments like LC- MS etc are also operated by MPEDA for carrying out residue monitoring programmes in fish & fishery products on behalf of Government of India. MPEDA is also planning to set up a referral lab in the state of Tamil Nadu after identifying suitable land. Apart from that subsidy is being granted for setting up of mini labs in the processing establishments.

e) MPEDA undertakes promotion and production of marine products for exports from all States of the country as per details given in part (a) above. There are no schemes specifically for implementation in Tamil Nadu, other than the ones already under implementation.

f) The details of the additional measures taken to boost export of value added & other marine products are given below:

	Name of Schemes	Objectives	Quantum of Assistance
 1	MPEDA Quality Logo	This scheme is aimed at promotion	The assistance under this scheme	scheme	of value added fish and fishery	will be limited to 25% of the promotional	products, processed/ produced in	expenses subject to a maximum of Rs.25/-	a MPEDA registered processing plant	lakh in a market for one product. A	possessing a certificate of approval	manufacturer exporter will be eligible	under the Marine Products (Quality	for getting assistance on three products	Marking) Scheme and thereby carryingz	in a market (first come first served)	the MPEDA quality Logo.	and he will be eligible to introduce	the logo products in three markets with	assistance of this scheme. 2	Assistance for	Assistance is offered to exporter	The assistance will be provided as	ware-housing /	for storage of the product in an	reimbursement of 25% of the expenses	transportation/	accredited frozen ware-house, local	incurred for warehousing; transportation	placement of	mobilization to retail supplies	and slotting for value added marine	value added	and for display of his branded	products in retail outlets in abroad	marine products	seafood in retail outlets by	markets,subject to a maximum of 25 lakh	abroad	paying slotting money.	per exporter per year.