Marine product exports up 12 per cent at $1.85 billion in 2006-07

Mumbai: Exports of marine products from the country rose 12 per cent to $1.85 billion in 2006-07 against $1.64 billion in the previous year, union minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh said.

He said China has emerged as a major destination for Indian seafood during this ''turnaround'' in marine products exports.

He said China''s imports from India accounted for 14 per cent of exports and EU accounted for 34 per cent, while US and Japan''s shared 16 per cent each.

Frozen shrimp accounted for 55 per cent of value of marine product exports, he said, adding that to ensure pathogen-free brood stock of shrimp, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has identified a bio secure zone in the Andaman Islands where disease-free shrimp can be cultivated.

By 2009, the stock would be available in the hatcheries in the country, the minister said. The government has earmarked Rs20 crore for the project, he added.

The government also planned to start aquaculture projects in three more states – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Orissa – where prawns would be the focus of attention. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have several acquaculture projects at present.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands account for about 60 per cent of the country''s tuna production. The minister said he would visit the islands on July 6 along with MPEDA officials and hold a meeting at Port Blair to see how tuna exports could be encouraged.