The Hindu Business Line : Seafood exporters’ body seeks fiscal relief

Kochi, March 15 The Indian seafood industry is facing its gravest crisis in the last 50 years with the cascading impacts of the rupee strengthening by 15 per cent, fuel prices surging by 80 per cent, the US anti-dumping duty imposed on Indian shrimp and an oversupply of vanammae shrimp by producers in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and others at prices which are 25-30 per cent lower than black shrimp cultured in India, the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) told the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister in Delhi recently, the SEAI pointed out that the crisis has grave implications depriving two million fishermen of their livelihood and 50,000 workers, in the processing establishment of seafood exporters, of their jobs.

Seafood exports have already dipped by 20 per cent in rupee terms and could plunge further by 50 per cent to $1 billion in the coming year, they warned.

Alternative sources

In order to revive their livelihood, SEAI suggested that fishermen should be encouraged to explore alternative sources of livelihood by providing land and finance for cage culture and encouraging the culture of vanammae shrimp along with black tiger.

They pleaded for fiscal relief — like an extension of the DEPB scheme beyond March 31, an additional increase in DEPB rates by five per cent, an extension of focus product benefit to all marine products, doubling of this benefit and transferability of licenses issued, removal of service tax, support on freight costs and additional supports under the Foreign Trade Policy.

A three-member team from SEAI comprising Mr Anwar Hashim, National President of SEAI, Mr Elias Sait, Secretary General and Mr K.G. Lawrence, Regional President from Kerala was given a hearing by Dr Manmohan Singh who promised to forward the matter to the Ministries concerned for immediate action.

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