Strategies on Preparedness for Trade and Globalization on the Fisheries Sector in Kerala

Institute of Management in Government(IMG),Thiruvananthapuram organized a one-day Seminar on "Strategies on Preparedness for Trade and Globalization on the Fisheries Sector in Kerala" on 15 April 2005 in collaboration with the UNTCAD, New Delhi and Datamation Foundation, New Delhi.  The Seminar was mainly intended for the stakeholders in the fisheries sector.

Back Ground

The liberalization and globalization polices has opened up vast opportunities in the fisheries sector in India. This has also created severe competition from other exporting countries like China, Thailand and Srilanka. The WTO provisions have made trade more liberalized, but with attended stringent quality controls. Thus on the one hand our fisheries sector has got more opportunities through liberalization, on the other hand we have to face severe external competition and to follow strict quality control measures. In the context of these changes, Government of India announced a comprehensive Marine Fishing Policy. In the present policy the government seeks to bring the traditional and coastal fisherman also in to the focus to achieve harmonized development of marine fishing. The policy also aims at implementation of international quality regimes for food safety.

 

Kerala Scenario

The state has all the requisite natural endowment for building a strong and vibrant fisheries economy in tune with the national strategy. They include a stretch of coastal belt extending over 590 km, and extensive inland water spread of around 4 lakh hectares. The exclusive economic zone lying adjacent to Kerala coast is spread over 36000 square km, which is almost equivalent to the land area of the state.

 

The state government also formulated a fisheries policy in 2004 covering all the areas related to the development of fisheries sector in the state. It is intended to integrate various agencies working in the fisheries sector, for the promotion of inland fisheries, resources conservation measures, sea safety, welfare programme for traditional fisherman, promotion of export, up gradation of infrastructure and implementation of quality controls programme across value chain. Competition in the international markets is increasing and Kerala has to cope up with the market demand. The Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) agreement under the WTO stipulates standards. The state has to move towards international standards of product hygiene in order to sustain the market share .

 

The quality control programmes across the value chain have to be strictly enforced to increase the export market share from the state. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement seems to threaten the seafood exports in the absence of stringent quality control systems. An action plan has to be prepared for the up gradation of quality control infrastructure. Awareness programme about the quality standards in other countries and its implications for export from Kerala also have to be organized.

 

In this changing context, there is an increasing need to generate awareness among the stakeholders about the various changes happening both in the international as well as in the national context. There is also a need to formulate appropriate strategies for facing severe competition from the external sector. This was the broad objective of the seminar.

Objectives

  1. To discuss the status and problems of Fisheries sector in Kerala.

  2.  To discuss the new international norms and rules in fisheries products trade.

  3. To discuss the local livelihood issues in the context of trade liberalization and globalization.

  4. To discuss the strategic options available to the stakeholders.

  5.  To formulate an activity report on the various strategies to be adopted.

 

Moderator for the programme was  Mr. Vivekanandan.

The speakers for the seminar were:

Shri. James Nedumpara,  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Shri. Elias George, Secretary to Govt of Kerala.

Shri. Sandu Joseph, Seafood Exporters Association of India.

 

The seminar discussion was on major issues like.

 

  • Fish that are likely to be imported into India from Thailand and other East Asian nations are from our own sea, poached by foreign vessels.

  • The subsidy on fuel—diesel. The price of diesel for foreign vessels is at around Rs.11-12. The Indian subsidised diesel price for the fishermen in the fisheries sector is around Rs.29.10 ps.  So in order to compete with global market standardisation on the diesel price should be done.

  • All subsidies are given to exporters only.

  • Tailand is only 12th in the world on fish production.  But stands first on exports. India, on the other hand is 4th is production but stands 12th position on exports.

  • Why not India produce value added products.  What other resources are required to facilitate this.

  • Govt. should take the initiatives and lead role in facility value addition.

  • Foreign vessels into Indian territory should be banned.

  • They all welcome Globalisation but it should have human angle and the layman's problem should be addressed.

  • Azhicode Ice Plant which is in 1 ˝ acre land in Kannur was discussed as an example for under utilisation and mismanagement of resources.

  • Strong arguments were that public sector ice plants which are presently closed down could be effectively run.

  • The fluctuation in the take price by the exporters on export quality fishes like tiger canava, prawn, curtle fish etc. was also discussed with great concern.

Conclusion

The discussion ended with the strong believe that Government cannot be expected to do everything, it is for the stakeholders in this sector to take up the opportunities of globalisation and take advantage to their benefit.  Some of the suggestions evolved were.

  1. On fixing a minimum support price.

  2. Introduction of trading centers in every district.  Where all the fish caught would be brought in, graded, packed and sold of. 

  3. The NGO's along with the Government agencies would evolve projects of how to process the catch to match the export market standards.

  4. IMG in association with Matsya Bhavans would take up initiatives in training the stakeholders to meet the challenges.

  5. UNCTAD along with Sea Food Exporters Association and MPEDA would fund for capacity building

  6. Value added products to be exported for better market opportunities.