Kochi, Sept. 28 Subsequent to the directive from Europe making it mandatory for all marine product exports to the EU to be accompanied by a catch certificate from a Government-authorised body from the beginning of next January, the Union Government has introduced the Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Act in Parliament.
Appreciating the timely intervention by the Government, the Seafood Exporters Association India was quite optimistic that the country would be able to sustain its exports’ drive into Europe even during the current year.
The EU directive was to enable responsible fishery practices and ensure that illegal and over-fishing was not pursued in some of the richest fishing waters of the world.
Since no specific fish species is being targeted in most of India’s territorial waters, there is no question of destroying any species.
Also, since most of the boats fishing in India’s territorial waters are poorly-equipped traditional boats, sources pointed out that there is not likely to be any indiscriminate or destructive practices pursued along the country’s coastline.
Towards the goal
But the Marine Fisheries Act is only the first step in this direction. The Government would have to convince the EU that the provisions of the Bill — regulation of Indian fishing and fisheries, erection of a fishery management plan, regulation of scientific research, effective powers of search and seizure of illegal fishing — are effectively pursued and implemented.
A new body would have to be constituted and equipped to provide the catch certification for all marine exports to the EU.
A segment of the exporters were in favour of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) being authorised to provide the catch certification.
They pointed out that it is the apex government body as far as marine exports from the country are concerned and that it has a presence at most of the important marine production and processing centres in the country.
They said that creation of a new body would be time consuming and making MPEDA the catch certification authority would expedite the proceedings.
There were also apprehensions whether the Government would be able to accelerate the process and ensure that the certification process was in position before January next year.
The EU has become the biggest destination for Indian marine exports in recent years and today accounts for over 32 per cent of the country’s total seafood exports.
Source : Business Line