The eighth stakeholders’ meeting of the Karnataka State Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) – Small Pelagic Purse Seine Fisheries witnessed detailed discussions on sustainable fisheries, responsible fishing practices, seafood traceability systems, and strengthening India’s seafood supply chain on Monday, at Yermal in Udupi district.

Representatives from various government departments, research institutions, the seafood industry, exporters, organisations working towards sustainable fisheries and fishermen’s representatives participated in the meeting.

Over the past two years, under the Karnataka State Fisheries Improvement Project, several awareness programmes have been organised focusing on the conservation of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species, responsible fishing, hygiene, labour welfare and prevention of unethical fishing practices.

Awareness posters on protected species were distributed among fishermen and on fishing vessels. Special emphasis was also given to strengthening traceability systems, data collection, and consultations with various stakeholders.

Among those who addressed the meeting included Avanti Feeds managing director Alluri Indra Kumar, Karnataka State FIP lead Udayakumar Salian, project coordinator Nimnual Peevthongngam, ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mangaluru, head Sujitha Thomas, National Task Force member Ganesh Nakhwa, and others.

The Karnataka State FIP – Small Pelagic Purse Seine Fisheries consists of member companies including Yashaswi Fish Meal and Oil Company Udupi, Yashaswi Fish Meal and Oil Company SEZ Mangaluru, Akash Fish Meal and Fish Oil Company, Mukka Proteins, Raj Fish Meal and Oil Company, Janatha Fish Meal and Oil Company and Blue Lines Foods (India), which are participating in the implementation of sustainable and responsible fisheries initiatives under the project.

Honorary president of the Indian Fish Meal and Fish Oil Exporters Association Pramod Madhwaraj, Additional Director of the Fisheries Department U Mahesh Kumar, Deputy Director of MPEDA T G Manoj Kumar, President of Janata Group Anand C. Kunder and others were present.