The Hindu Business Line : Tuna exports may top 300 tonnes this year

Kochi May 1 The Seafood Exporters' Association of India (SEAI) has said tuna exports from the country are poised to touch 300 tonnes in 2007 and realise an average price of $5 per kg.

Already 150 advance licences have been given for the conversion of mechanised fishing vessels to tuna long-liners and another 300 would be given the facility during 2007.

These measures are expected to augment the catch of tuna from the Indian coastline. Each vessel is expected to have a catch of 90 tonnes.

The Marine Products Export Development Agency (MPEDA) expects the number of tuna boats along the Indian coastline to increase to 1,000 in three years.

"And even by most conservative estimates, we should be realising an average return of $5 per kg,'' the MPEDA Director, Mr Kuruvilla Thomas, said.

"Given the global interest in tuna we are placing special focus on this species, both in aquaculture and value addition," Mr Thomas said. While it is true that the country had gone in for promoting tuna only recently, it is to being pursued with full zeal and vigour.

Mr Abraham Tharakan, President of SEAI, said tuna, which is the third largest globally traded fish item behind shrimps and cephalopods, will create major waves in the marine industry in the near future.

In the course of last one year, Indian tuna has entered major markets, especially Japan.

The higher Indian grades such as sashimi already realise as much as $17 per kg, while the medium grades realise $7-8 per kg.

Dedicated centres

Dedicated tuna handling facilities are either present or are being set up at Kochi, Tuticorin, Kollam, Chennai, Mangalore, Verawal, Visakhapatanam and Mumbai. These centres would form the thrust areas for tuna harvesting and promotion. Since mishandling of the catch constitutes a major problem, MPEDA is undertaking measures to ensure adequate on-board and off-board handling, proper chilling and quality processing extended to the sector.

A major freight subsidy scheme is pending approval with the Union Government, Mr Thomas said. Once it is approved, an increased flow of raw materials from abroad is expected, which can be processed and re-exported from here. Aquaculture, quality control and value addition are the other areas, which could help the sector in the years ahead, for which MPEDA is drawing up several supportive schemes.

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