A regional workshop on the sideline of the World Seafood Congress will highlight how India’s aquaculture sector, strong export markets and rising demand for aquafeeds support livelihoods, value addition and food production systems in the country and beyond
Chennai: India’s critical role in the global seafood economy and the growing sustainability challenges facing its marine ingredients sector will be in focus at a regional workshop to be held Wednesday (February 11) on the sidelines of the ongoing World Seafood Congress at the Chennai Trade Centre, here.
Organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) in association with United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the workshop will highlight how India’s aquaculture sector, strong export markets and rising demand for aquafeeds support livelihoods, value addition and food production systems in the country and beyond. Regional perspectives from neighbouring countries will also be presented, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region.
Union Fisheries Joint Secretary Sagar Mehra will be the chief guest at the inauguration of the workshop. Senior experts from institutions such as the FAO, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Seafood Exports Association of India (SEAI), Indian Marine Ingredients Association (IMIA), and Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) will present their views. Senior policymakers, industry leaders and experts from national and international organisations will attend.
The meet seeks to address the growing need for closer dialogue among value-chain actors to reduce fragmentation and promote coordinated approaches to sectoral stewardship.
Key sessions will focus on shared challenges in the marine ingredients sector, policy and market perspectives, private-sector innovations, and the role of traceability and data systems in supporting sustainability and market access.
“With global markets and regulatory expectations evolving rapidly, fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) and aquafeed businesses in India are navigating a complex landscape that requires balancing sustainability concerns, efficiency, competitiveness, traceability requirements and long-term resource security”, said Dr P Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO.
The workshop aims to convene key industry players, regulators and enabling organisations to initiate a structured dialogue on collective stewardship in the Indian FMFO and aquafeed sectors, traceability systems and market access, and explore the possibility of a long-term multi-stakeholder coalition for marine ingredients stewardship in India, he added.
