Kerala seafood sector unveils draft fisheries plan with sustainability push

Kerala's seafood sector has unveiled a draft state fisheries management plan, a digital traceability framework, and measures to promote sustainable fishing, announced at an annual stakeholder consultation hosted by the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) at Willingdon Island. The English Mathrubhumi and The Hindu Businessline report that the draft plan, prepared by scientists at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, proposes science-based harvest control rules and gear restrictions to prevent juvenile overfishing and improve marine resource productivity.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) announced mandatory online registration for local fish dealers and aggregators will launch next month, creating a digital audit trail from landing centres to processing plants. The Kerala Fisheries Department is deploying digital trawl-footprint tracking and a mobile enforcement application. Square-mesh codends will be made mandatory to protect juvenile fish stocks. Industry leaders outlined steps to accelerate adoption of Turtle Excluder Devices to secure full access to the US wild-caught shrimp market.

Stakeholders are mobilising CSR funds from public sector enterprises like Cochin Shipyard, supported by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. SEAI CEO K N Raghavan said international retailers are increasingly demanding certified sustainable seafood. The draft plan will be formally submitted to the Kerala government for final policy endorsement.