The sea as treasure chest

Tamil Nadu has the second longest coastline in the country, next only to Gujarat, but ranks seventh in seafood exports. Its exports have been fluctuating over the past five years (see graphic). They declined by 16.2% in FY24 to $484 million from $577 million in FY23. This was largely due to a sharp fall in shrimp prices on surplus supply by Ecuador.However, experts say Tamil Nadu can boost seafood production if it enhances infrastructure and adopts modern technology. It can play a significant part in the country's drive to increase the value of marine product exports to 1 lakh crore by 2027 from 60,523 crore in FY24. Tamil Nadu exports a range of marine products including shrimp, squid, cuttle fish and dried fish. Data with the state fisheries department shows that of the nearly six lakh tonnes of marine fish production in Tamil Nadu during FY23, more than 1.2 lakh tonnes were exported. Of this, shrimp comprised 80,420 tonnes, accounting for 65% of the total seafood exports. Shrimp exports contributed nearly 77% of the total export value of seafood from the state during FY23. The US, Japan, southeast Asia, European Union, China, and the Middle East are the top export destinations. Tamil Nadu can achieve a seafood export target of 15,000 crore within five years with a focused approach, says Israr Ahmed, vice-president, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). Tamil Nadu has lost out to Andhra Pradesh, which offers subsidised electricity and other benefits to shrimp farmers. As a result, many aquaculture farms have relocated to that state over the past decade, he says."However, Tamil Nadu can still grow this sector by establishing seafood parks and providing land to fishing communities for shrimp farming," says Ahmed. "By investing in modern infrastructure and technology, we can enhance productivity and ensure sustainable practices in aquaculture. Additionally, the state can focus on research and development to better farming techniques and disease management, which are crucial for maintaining healthy shrimp stocks," he adds.Tamil Nadu can also promote cage culture, sea ranching, and other advanced methods of replenishing marine catches, says Ahmed. Moreover, enhancing the supply chain and logistics for seafood exports will be vital. Cold storage facilities and efficient transportation networks are essential for products to reach international markets in optimal condition.Developing nucleus breeding centres (NBCs) is the need of the hour, says Pawan Kumar G, national president, Seafood Exporters Association of India. "We must take a cue from Ecuador in developing brood stock for shrimp. The fisheries policy in Tamil Nadu needs to be revised to boost aquaculture," he says, adding that many exporters in Tamil Nadu depend on raw material for shrimp from Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu has 2,360 shrimp farms spread over 4,536 hectares. White leg shrimp is the main export. Kuldeep K. Lal, director, ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, says CIBA has successfully demonstrated harvesting 40 to 45 tonnes of shrimp per hectare every cycle (100 days) at its field station at Muttukadu on ECR in Oct. The current average harvest per acre is 8 to 10 tonnes per hectare. "The technology can also increase the number of crop cycles to three a year. And, production cost, including the depreciation on investments, reduced to 170 - 180 per kg from 250." The country imports the entire broodstock of genetically improved and pathogen-free white leg shrimp, which is native to South America. "As part of our diversification plans and to promote Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus), we are establishing an NBC at Kelambakkam on the outskirts of Chennai. The first-of-its-kind facility in the country, it is coming up with an investment of 25 crore, supported by Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana," he adds."Tamil Nadu can emerge as a key player in seafood export by overcoming barriers such as limited infrastructure, social acceptance of aquaculture, and environmental regulations," says Anil Kumar SG, founder and CEO of Chennai-based agri enterprise Samunnati. Chennai and Tuticorin are the major export-oriented fish processing hubs in the state. The fisheries and fishermen welfare department is planning to develop infrastructure along the coast. This includes forward-backward linkages, cold chain facilities and export infrastructure at Mookaiyur fishing harbour of Ramanathapuram district. Sipcot MD K Senthil Raj says, they were looking to set up a seafood processing park in Cuddalore or Nagapattinam district.