Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh move aims to provide market access, premium prices for eco-certified tuna products
KOCHI, 22 September 2025: In a major boost to India’s seafood sector, the Centre has announced plans to secure a global eco-labelling tag for Lakshadweep tuna fisheries using traditional fishing methods.
Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) said here on Saturday that global certification and traceability are the next major interventions in India’s fisheries sector. The Government will take steps to obtain globally recognized ecolabelling certification for the pole-and-line and hand-line tuna fisheries of Lakshadweep which have low environmental impact and positive social benefits, the Minister said.
He was interacting at a consultative meeting in Kochi on development of fisheries sector in Lakshadweep with a special focus on tuna fisheries, seaweed and ornamental fisheries.
“This move aims to promote the sustainability of these traditional fishing methods, providing market access and premium prices for eco-certified tuna products.
“With proper certification and market access, Lakshadweep tuna can fetch premium prices, benefiting artisanal fishers in the archipelago”, the Minister added.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh also said that seaweed farming and ornamental fisheries are highly prospective in the Island, with a strong potential for women’s participation and community-based livelihood enhancement.
Referring to the Government’s plan on deep sea fishing, the Union Minister said legal instruments for enabling sustainable fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas are underway in consultation with the coastal states and UTs.
The Central Government is committed to advancing the sector with a focus on sustainable harness of deep-sea resources, he added.
Representatives from various ministries and agencies, including NITI Aayog, Marine Products Export Development Authority, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, and NABARD attended the meeting.
The event was jointly organised by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and Fishery Survey of India (FSI).
Lakshadweep Administrator Shri Praful Patel highlighted that the 4000 square metre lagoon in Lakshadweep holds immense potential for seaweed cultivation, offering new avenues to improve the livelihoods of islanders. “The region can emerge as the global hub for seaweed farming”, he added.
Union Minister of State George Kurian and Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi among others spoke.
Govt. focuses on post-harvest techs, Union Fisheries Secretary tells fishermen
Earlier in the day, during his interaction with fishermen at the Cochin Fishing Harbour, Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi said that government focuses on boosting fisher income through modern infrastructure and cutting-edge post-harvest technologies.
“Innovative technologies including modern cold chains, efficient packaging and value-added product units, will help reduce waste, improve quality of the catch and thus fetch better price in the market”, he said.
He reviewed the ongoing modernization work at the harbour in Thoppumpady. The Secretary urged the port authorities to expedite work and complete the project in a strict and time-bound manner.
