Keralam seafood sector unveils plan to boost sustainable fishing, exports

Keralam's seafood sector has launched a sustainability initiative with a draft state fisheries management plan and a digital tracking framework aimed at strengthening responsible fishing practices and expanding the state's share in the global seafood market, SEAI members on Saturday said.

The initiatives were unveiled at an annual stakeholder consultation hosted by the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) on Willingdon Island, attended by government officials, marine scientists, seafood exporters and sustainability organisations.

A statement by SEAI said that stakeholders agreed on a roadmap to seek Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for Keralam's key shrimp and cephalopod fisheries.

The Draft Kerala State Fisheries Management Plan, prepared by scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), proposes science-based harvest control rules and gear restrictions to prevent juvenile overfishing and improve the long-term productivity of mari