Vizag to get state-of-art marine fish market

Hyderabad, Sept 23 (INN): Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu said that the Visakhapatnam would soon get a state-of-art marine fish market.

Speaking after inaugurating the India International Seafood Show 2016 at Vizag on Friday, the Union Minister said that the proposed marine fish market would be India's biggest. "The Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has committed to give 2,200 square ft of land for the purpose. The state government will bear 30% and National Fisheries Development Board will contribute 40% of the project cost and Tata Trust will share the remaining amount. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 2.75 crore," he said.

The market is likely to sell about six tonnes of fish daily. As many as 17 varieties of fish including Tuna will be available in the market. At present, the market has about 1,800 vendors. The market will be equipped with closed circuit TV cameras to ensure transparency in the transactions.

According to available statistics of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), One million tonnes of marine products exports from India, fetching a foreign exchange of USD 5.5 billion in 2014-15. Marine product exports crossed all previous records in quantity, rupee value and USD terms. "A bright future lies ahead for the country's seafood industry and I am told that marine product exports are likely to go up by 20% during the current year- with recent initiatives take up by government particularly in aquaculture diversification, quality control, value addition and improved production infrastructure," the Union Minister said.

Venkaiah Naidu expressed happiness over India International Seafood Show 2016 showcasing Visakhapatnam as a leading shrimp exporter in the country and its potential and opportunities. "Vizag now prominently figures on global map and getting good attention from global players. This is evident from the response for this Seafood show, with participation from countries that include USA, United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Japan, Vietnam, The Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Germany and China. International and domestic exhibitor have showcased their products and services to a potential global market and to explore leads and partnerships. Of the 290 stalls at the exhibition, more than 70 are from foreign companies," he said.

Hoping that the participants would get benefited from the serviess/ products by these exhibitiors, the Union Minister complimented the Ministry of Commerce, MPEDA and Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) for organizing three day event, which is a major platform for business interaction in field of Aquaculture. He hoped that it would pave the way for foreign direct investment in India and contribute significantly to the 'Make in India' programme.

Venkaiah Naidu said that oceans have played a major role in development of human civilization mainly by trade, commerce and communication. But they are also a source edible and non-edible produces. India is privileged to have 7,516 km long coastline with 2.37 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone on the sea. India has exclusive legal right to utilize all living and non-living products in that sea zone, he said.

The Union Minister said seafood is an important category of sea produce. The broad categories of seafood are shrimp, fish, prawn and crabs. The Indian Seafood Industry is almost 50 year old in its organized form. Today we are exporting to more than 100 countries. Our major importers are the USA, Japan, EU, China, South East Asia and West Asian countries. The major items are frozen shrimp, frozen fish, cuttlefish, squid etc., There are dried, live and chilled items as well. India is one of the major exporters of seafood, he said.

Venkaiah Naidu said India was 7th largest exporter in value terms of sea-food behind China, Norway, Vietnam, Thailand, United States and Chile. But our export basket size is almost 1/4th of China. In value terms, Vizag is the top port for seafood exports. It contributes more than one-fifth of total seafood exports. Though in all marine products export it is Chennai that is the highest. Thus, it is most befitting for the seafood export taking place in Vizag, he said.

The Union Minister said that the global seafood market was also changing responding to demands of environment, over exploitation, dietary diversification etc., So India will have to adjust to these demands. The soaring demand of seafood has led to growth of aquaculture or farming of seafood. Natural production is not enough across segments. India is the second major producer of aquaculture, producing 7 percent of the world output.

He said that the Central Government has always extended its direct or indirect support to seafood industry. Building of appropriate fishery harbours, coastal aquaculture farm and hatcheries is very important.