Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, May 14: "A uniform law is required for the sustainable development and growth of the fishing, fishmeal, and allied industries in the coastal region. It is necessary to survive global competition," said Pramodh Madhwaraj, honorary president of the Indian Fishmeal and Fish Oil Exporters Association and former fisheries minister of Karnataka.
He was addressing the 8th stakeholders' meeting organised by the Karnataka State Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) for small pelagic purse seine fisheries at Yermal here.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Alluri Indra Kumar, managing director of Avanti Feeds Limited. Discussions during the meeting focused on sustainable fisheries, responsible fishing practices, seafood traceability systems, and strengthening India’s seafood supply chain.
Udayakumar Salian, head of Karnataka State FIP, stated that over the past two years, several awareness programmes have been conducted under the Karnataka Fisheries Reform Project. These initiatives focused on the conservation of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species, responsible fishing practices, hygiene, labour welfare, and the prevention of unethical fishing methods. Awareness boards regarding protected species have also been distributed among fishermen and installed on fishing boats.
Project coordinator Dr Nimnual Peevroonggam, chief scientist of ICAR-CMFRI Dr Sujitha Thomas, national task force member Ganesh Nakhwa, Dr Naveen Namboodri of Dakshin Foundation, Sarbpreet Singh of Devi Seafoods Limited, Nanda Kishore of Avanti Feeds Limited, and A B Jain of the Seafood Task Force spoke on various topics during the programme.
Additional director of the fisheries department Mahesh Kumar U, MPEDA deputy director Manoj Kumar T G, and president of the Janata Group Anand C Kunder, among others, were present at the event.
Ramesh M R welcomed the gathering and explained the objectives of the meeting. Chetan Kumar Suvarna proposed the vote of thanks, while Dr Shivakumar Magad compered the programme.
Representatives from various government departments, research institutions, the seafood industry, exporters, organisations working for sustainable fisheries, and fishermen’s representatives participated in the meeting.
Member organisations participating in the FIP included Yashaswi Fishmeal and Oil Company Udupi, Yashaswi Fishmeal and Oil Company SEZ Mangaluru, Akash Fishmeal and Fish Oil Company Private Limited, Mukka Proteins Limited, Raj Fishmeal and Oil Company, Janata Fishmeal and Oil Company, and Blue Lines Foods (India) Limited.