Scheme to promote tuna exports gets a good start

KOCHI: The scheme to promote tuna exports from the country launched by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) seems to have got
off to a good start.

The export of tuna, which stood at US $ 13 million 2 years back when the scheme was announced, has registered a 307 % increase to touch US $ 53 million last year. This year the export is likely to increase to US $ 70 million though the target was around $ 100 million.

MPEDA has set a target of US $ 500 million by the end of the 11 th plan period. To achieve this target the agency under the Commerce Ministry has drawn up a plan to convert 1000 fishing vessels into tuna long liners.

Despite the global recession, the price of special grade tuna has not registered any major decline. The price of canning grade tuna has registered a fall while that of sashimi grade and loins grade tuna has not seen any significant fall. "The export of higher grade tuna is also in line with the policy of promoting value added exports", Mr Kuruvila Thomas, director marketing, MPEDA said.

As part of the new scheme, 20 fishing vessels were converted to tuna long liners in Kochi. However, the breakthrough for MPEDA was when the south Indian federation of fishermen societies came forward for converting fishing vessels to tuna long liners. MPEDA plans to convert 100 vessels of the organization to tuna monofilament long liners. In Chennai also close to 100 vessels will be converted into tuna vessels this way. Port Blair is the other major centre of tuna fishing.

Tuna fishing has become a major activity in some areas like Vizag. Tuna landings in a few villages like Podimodukka, near Vizag, have touched nearly 100 tonnes. MPEDA plans to convert 100 boats here. In such places, the skills in catching, onboard handling and processing would be upgraded.

Subsidy to the extent of 50 % would be given for 300 boats in these villages to upgrade them to tuna vessels for better catch and better value realization, it was pointed out. The fishing gear includes four insulated fish box and vertical long liners.