Kerala’s once-thriving fisheries sector, a lifeline for over 1.4 million people, is in deep crisis, prompting the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), Kerala Region, to urgently request government intervention. Environmental setbacks and growing export challenges have severely impacted the industry.
M.R. Premachandra Bhat, President of SEAI Kerala, noted that the state has slipped from the leading position in seafood exports to fifth, largely due to adverse ecological impacts. Fishing days along Kerala’s 590-km coastline have drastically reduced from 300 to just 100 annually due to harsh weather, regulatory bans, and a 52-day trawling ban. This is further worsened by illegal fishing by foreign vessels, which depletes local marine resources during restricted periods.
Bhat stressed the need for the government to promote commercial aquaculture and sustainable shrimp farming to boost domestic production. He also highlighted the immediate necessity of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, crucial for marine conservation and accessing eco-conscious export markets like the United States.
Compounding these issues are global challenges, including freight disruptions and geopolitical tensions, making it tough for Indian exporters to compete. The sector, a major employer of women, is also advocating for easier access to working capital loans to ensure year-round employment by enabling raw material purchases during peak seasons and continuous processing during lean months.
