Us Turtle Excluder Norm Not To Hit Aquaculture Exports

The government has said that the restrictions imposed by United States of India on countries such as India for not making the turtle excluder device (TED) mandatory on its marine fishing fleet will not hamper exports of Indian shrimps to the United States.

This was because the ban did not apply to aquaculture shrimp and shrimp caught by traditional means, which constituted 80 per cent by value of the shrimp produced in India, an official release said.

The ban was imposed by USA on countries such as India for not making TED mandatory on fishing fleets was not new. It had been imposed in 1996.

Exports of Indian aquaculture shrimp and shrimp caught by traditional means to the USA on the basis of consignment wise certificate issued by Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) was continuing.

Total Indian marine product exports to the US, constituting mainly shrimp, which was just $148 million four years ago. It shot up to $299 million in 2001-02.

In 2002-03, it was estimated to have gone up to $319 million thus accounting for 28 per cent of the total marine products exports from India. USA in 2002-03 topped Japan as the largest market for Indian marine products.

Marine products exports from India during 2002-03 was estimated to be $1,369 million (Rs 6595 crore) an increase of 9.3 per cent over the $1,253 million (Rs 5957 crore) in 2001-02.

This was possible mainly on account of excellent growth in exports to USA, particularly of shrimp, as well as increased value addition.