Question : Export of Seafood

(a) the total quantity and value of seafood and seafood products exported from the country during the last five years;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to boost the export of seafood items from the country;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to export special tuna fish (Mas) from Lakshadweep and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has received representations from Lakshadweep Administration and others in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

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

(a) The total quantity and value of seafood and seafood products exported from India during the last 5 years is as below:

Year Quantity of export
(in Metric Tons) Value
Rs. in Crore US$ in million
2012-13 928215 18856.26 3511.67
2013-14 983756 30213.26 5007.70
2014-15 1051243 33441.61 5511.12
2015-16 945892 30420.83 4687.94
2016-17 1134948 37870.90 5777.61


(b) The Government through Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is extending technical and financial assistance in the capture fisheries sector to develop the infrastructure facilities for the fishing, processing, value addition and export of seafood products. MPEDA is also supporting the Aquaculture sector to increase the production of export oriented aquaculture through various technical/financial assistance schemes, research & development and extension activities.

(c) & (d) MPEDA has received representations from the Hon’ble Member of Parliament of Lakshadweep and Lakshadweep Co-operative Marketing Federation Ltd. requesting for better export markets for “Masmin” (dried smoked tuna product). A meeting in this regard was convened by MPEDA on 06.01.2017 inviting the exporters and some central/state fisheries agencies. Based on the discussions in the meeting, a survey about the resources and infrastructure facilities in the island was done. On the request of exporters, MPEDA office at Lakshadweep is following up the matter with the local administration to make available the necessary infrastructure for the processing and storage of Tuna for initiating export of the same.

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