18th November 2024 (10 Topics)
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India's Tuna Export Growth
Context
In 2023-24, India’s tuna fish exports increased by 31.83%. This growth has prompted the government to explore new areas for sourcing tuna, with a particular focus on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The global market for tuna is valued at USD 41.94 billion, and the Indian Ocean is the second-largest tuna-producing region in the world, responsible for 21% of global tuna production.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a Potential Tuna Hub:
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are being targeted as a potential hub for tuna fishing and export. The Union Fisheries Department sees the region as having a lot of untapped potential.
- According to the department, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the islands has a variety of tuna species. The estimated potential yield is 64,500 tonnes of tuna annually from these waters.
- Expected Tuna Species and Quantities: The department expects the following tuna species to be available for export annually from the region:
- Yellowfin tuna: 24,000 tonnes
- Skipjack tuna: 22,000 tonnes
- Bigeye tuna: 500 tonnes
- Neritic tuna: 18,000 tonnes
- India’s Current Tuna Export Statistics: In the 2023-24 period, India exported 51,626 tonnes of tuna, valued at USD 87.96 million.
- Challenges in Tuna Fishing in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Despite the high demand for tuna, the tuna fishing sector in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is underdeveloped and underutilized.
- Lack of modern fishing technologies,
- Inadequate infrastructure for fishing, processing, and storage,
- Limited access to fish processing
- Significance: Tuna fishing, processing, and exports are expected to generate significant employment for local communities, especially in: Fishing jobs, Processing unit workers, and Entrepreneurs in related sectors like storage, transport, and distribution.
- Tuna is also a crucial source of protein for local island communities, many of whom have limited access to other food sources.
Fact Box: India’s Fisheries Sector
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