New Delhi: In what came as a relief to the Indian seafood industry, the US National naval Fisherman Service (NMFS) said Indian exports complies with US mammalian protection standards, allowing their ongoing shipments.
Interestingly, Indian seafood rivals – China, Mexico and Ecuador – were denied certification and prevented some fishing exports to the US after 31 December, two government officials said.
The standards of the protection of American mammals relate to rules that prevent the killing or injury of marine mammals such as dolphins and whales in fishing. The US requires that exporting nations show that their fishing methods do not harm sea mammals more than what is allowed for American fishermen.
The approval of Indian sea exports of NMFS comes at a time when Chinese processors are increasingly gaining Indian shrimp for reexport. NMFS certification comes against the background of India and the US, which continues to talk about the bilateral trade agreement (BTA). India exported seafood worth $ 7.39 billion in FY25, of which more than the third or $ 2.68 billion went to the US. Indian exports of shrimp to the US are currently less competitive than from Ecuador, Vietnam and Indonesia due to a steep 50% tariff.
Development removes the main potential non -tariff barrier for Indian seafood exports, especially the aquaculture of shrimp, which is the largest Indian export to the US. While the invitation to the tariff remains, adherence to India according to MMPA (Sea mammal protection Act) strengthens its position of responsible and sustainable seafood exporter, he said the first of the two quoted government officials who spoke of anonymity.
When he was contacted by E -Mail, NOAA fishing, also known as the National Sea Fishing Service, he said: “The MMPA import team is currently in Furlough status. Once it reacts to E -mily,” the government’s function will be added. “Added,” adds. ”
Questions E -mail E -mail to the Indian Ministry of Fishing, Breeding Animals and Dairy remained unanswered until the press time.
“It is a positive step in the right direction. However, as long as there is a high tariff, it will not help Indian exporters a lot,” said Alex K. Ninan, vice -chairman, Indian exporters of seafood.
The Law on the Protection of Naval Mammals of the United States is the Federal Law of the United States, which aims to protect marine mammals and their habitats. While MMPA primarily applies to American water and activities, it also has the consequences for seafood exporting countries that want to export their products to the US.
In 2017, the US introduced provisions within the MMPA, which required all nations exporting seafood to show that their fishing measures have protective measures comparable in the effectiveness of US standards to reduce the injury and mortality of sea mammals such as whales, defins, co -operating, seals.
“In the MMPA countries that seek to export seafood to the US, it evaluates whether export countries have effective regulations and measures to reduce the random catch of the sea mammals in fishing.
According to the first NMFS official, he previously noted that the overall risk of secondary seafood (unintended catch of non -target species) in Indian fishing is “high”.
To ensure sustainability and continuous export of seafood to the US, the government supported a project called “Evaluation of Sea Mammal Stocks in India” with the total cost of £13.28 Crore was stated by the second official within the central sector system.
According to the second official NOAA FISHERIES, she announced her determination of comparability of MMPA in the federal register and covered approximately 2,500 fishing in 135 countries. Of these, 240 fishing out of 46 countries denied comparability, which reduced their ability to export to the US, according to the Noaa Fisheries website.
After these orders, NMFS granted India to find out comparability, confirming that its fishing meets the US standards of seabed protection. Approval ensures that Indian seafood exports can continue to the US after the term 31 December 2025.
(Tagstotranslate) sea mammal
