Amid a series of issues, including resource depletion and climate change, B Abdul Nasar, Special Secretary, Kerala Fisheries department Kerala, said that the government will support initiatives for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification highlighting that it will help maintain sustainability in the fisheries sector.
According to him, the global certification will enhance the global competitiveness of India’s seafood exports and ensure the sustainability of marine resources.
He was speaking at a capacity-building workshop for government fisheries officials aimed to equip them with various measures required to obtain global fisheries sustainability certification.
The Department of Fisheries, which is tasked with management of the marine resources in the State, will ensure that appropriate management measures as advised by the research institutions are put in place and enforced to ensure sustainable fisheries in Kerala, Nasar said.
Expressing concern over dwindling fish catches and climate change impacts, he said it is essential to adopt sustainable fishing practices and the MSC certification would help ensure the long-term livelihoods of fishing communities and preservation of marine biodiversity for future generations.
As part of India’s initiatives for the MSC certification, a dozen species, including deep sea shrimp, coastal shrimp, cuttlefish, threadfin breams and blue swimming crab, have already been prioritised and most of their fishery improvement projects (FIPs) are in the final stage.
The depletion of resources and drastic drop in commercially important species are alarming, as they will disrupt the livelihood of fishermen, said Sunil Mohamed, former Principal Scientist of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Shrimp and squid landings, along with those of numerous other species, are experiencing a significant decline, leading to severe supply shortage in the seafood value chain. This demands immediate adoption of sustainable practices and the efforts to secure the MSC certification could restore the fish stock and long-term health of the sector, he said.
Amanda Lejbowicz, Head of Fisheries Standard Accessibility of MSC, London, led the technical sessions at the workshop. MSC certification would significantly boost India’s fishery exports to Europe and North America by unlocking greater market access and enhancing its international reputation for sustainable fishery management, she said.