He further highlighted the urgent need to boost domestic production. “Shrimp is the crown jewel of our exports. But without adequate raw material, even the most advanced processing facility becomes nothing more than a silent warehouse,” he warned, urging the government to promote commercial aquaculture and incentivise sustainable shrimp farming initiatives.

Another top priority, Bhat said, is the immediate rollout of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets. These devices are not only vital for conserving marine resources but are also essential to maintain access to eco-conscious export markets like the United States.

“We have the technology. We have the necessary approvals. What we now need is administrative will—an urgent push to implement TEDs without further delay,” he stated.

Amidst rising global challenges—including freight disruptions, the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, and instability along key shipping routes—India’s seafood exporters are under growing pressure to stay competitive against aggressive players like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Ecuador.

Despite these hurdles, Kerala’s industry continues to innovate, thanks in part to initiatives like the Plastic-Free Seas Project, where local fishermen collect marine plastic waste and bring it ashore for proper disposal.