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The Seafood Exporters Association of India has sought an amendment to the Marine Product Exports Authority of India Act, 1972, for larger representation of the seafood industry on the board of the authority and widening its role in setting norms for aquaculture in inland and coastal waters. A.J. Tharakan, President, SEAI, who made a pitch for such an amendment to Commerce Minister Anand Sharma at the India International Seafood Show here on Friday, told Business Line : “We want the role of MPEDA clearly defined so that we know who calls the shots where. And, a wider role for MPEDA will help better regulate the aquaculture industry.”
The board of MPEDA, comprising 30 members, has only six seafood industry representatives.
Officials from State Governments, three elected members from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and other fisheries-related institutions constitute the majority on the board.
Crop Holiday Leena Nair, Chairman, MPEDA, told Business Line : “The Minister has said it will be looked into. The contours of what has to be strengthened have not emerged. We have to wait.”
In late November last year, the MPEDA suggested hatcheries in the country suspend operations to prevent the spread of Early Mortality Disease, that causes premature death of shrimp and hits exports.
However, another Union Government body Coastal Aquaculture Authority, set up in 2005, put out a notification on November 27 that saying that it has not given any permission to officers of MPEDA to enter into any hatchery or farm related to the purpose of disease surveillance. It also said any violations could be informed to it.
With such a tussle leading to Government departments working at crossroads, the industry faces a lot of uncertainty, according to seafood industry sources. Addressing the India International Seafood Show here, Tharakan said: “Unfortunately, the fishing industry in the country is spread over five ministries: exports under Commerce; deep sea fishing, aquaculture and fishing research under Agriculture; seafood processing under Food Processing; Coast Guard under the Defence; and coastal fishing and inland water bodies under the jurisdiction of coastal States.”
Asked if such an amendment will see the light of the day, Sharma said: “We will do what is required.”
bharani.v@thehindu.co.in
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