To address illegal and unsustainable fishing practices, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has revoked the registration of a fishmeal processor in Karnataka. The action, taken under Section 36 of the MPEDA Rules 1972, is part of a broader effort to promote responsible practices in the fishmeal industry.
The Indian Marine Ingredients Association has welcomed MPEDA’s enforcement action, praising the authority for targeting non-compliant processors. On September 16, Association president Mohamed Dawood Sait emphasized the importance of rooting out such units to ensure the industry’s move toward full sustainability. “This is crucial for the fishmeal industry’s progress,” Sait noted, adding that responsible practices were a priority for all processors.
India is the third-largest producer of fishmeal globally, and the sector has also entered the Chinese market. Sait pointed out that by 2025, international conventions will require all fishmeal producers to obtain certification verifying the source of their raw materials. In line with this, Association members predominantly use low-value and discarded fish caught accidentally by trawlers, which helps support fishermen by providing a market for fish without commercial value.
However, the issue of unsustainable fishing practices remains contentious in coastal areas. In August, tensions flared along Kerala’s coast as conflicts erupted between traditional fishermen and those involved in juvenile fishing and pelagic trawling. Traditional fishermen, angered by the unsustainable methods, seized boats and gear allegedly used in these operations. Authorities have since intervened, and their involvement is expected to create a more peaceful platform for addressing these concerns.
A group of traditional fishermen has also petitioned the Chief Minister, urging him to take direct action against juvenile fishing and other environmentally harmful practices.
With the MPEDA’s recent enforcement, there is hope that stricter adherence to sustainable methods will help mitigate such conflicts while fostering the long-term growth of India’s fishmeal industry.
