India has already upgraded its monitoring framework, with nearly 36,000 fishing vessels fitted with transponders under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for real-time tracking. The e-observer will be the next big step in building a comprehensive fisheries data ecosystem.

Since tuna, tuna-like species and pelagic sharks are highly migratory resources, Likhi stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to ensure sustainability, even while protecting the livelihoods of millions dependent on the sector.

The workshop also highlighted concerns over the global quota allocation system for commercial tuna fishing. CMFRI Director Dr. Grinson George called for a revision to secure a fairer share for developing nations like India, while also underlining the need for robust cold chain infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of Indian tuna exports.

Experts from 12 nations including Japan, France, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa, along with officials from Indian coastal states, are participating in the workshop.