The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Fishery Survey of India have organized a five-day global workshop on species identification.
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India.
The Government of India has confirmed that it will adopt an onboard electronic observer system for the remote monitoring and recording of marine catch, which will provide accurate scientific data through the observation of fishing operations across various types of vessels.
Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi provided details about this initiative during the inauguration of a five-day global workshop on species identification, organized by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the Fishery Survey of India (FSI).
The FSI, under the Ministry of Fisheries, is responsible for developing the electronic observer system, and through electronic monitoring and efficient data collection, tuna and other similar fisheries can be improved in accordance with the guidelines of the IOTC.
"It is the passport that secures our access to international markets and protects our fishers and exporters from trade challenges, ensuring them a level playing field in export markets," the Secretary stated.
Moreover, since tunas, tuna-like species, and pelagic sharks are highly migratory, India is already cooperating at the regional and international levels in the collection and management of such data. Currently, around 36,000 fishing vessels are equipped with these devices.
The Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Dr. Grinson George, has called for a revision of the current global quota allocation system for commercial tuna fishing.
He also emphasized the importance of having a well-developed cold chain infrastructure to preserve the product and increase its productivity, thereby boosting the export of this species.
"This workshop has addressed the critical need for robust data collection and proper species identification to ensure reliable assessments of tuna and related fishery resources in India," said Lauren Nelson, a member of the IOTC Secretariat.
The workshop was attended by fisheries experts and officials from 12 countries, including Japan, France, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa, along with 18 officials from various coastal states of India.