The National Workshop on Traceability for Fisheries Value Chains, organized by the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, in association with the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), brought together key stakeholders from various sectors — including government agencies, research institutions, regulatory bodies, and the seafood industry — who emphasized the need to develop a national framework for the fisheries sector.

The workshop focused on developing a comprehensive traceability system for the fisheries sector to ensure seafood safety, quality assurance, legal compliance, and improved market access, especially in the context of growing international regulations and consumer expectations.

Dr. George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of traceability in the fisheries sector. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India. In his address, he emphasized the importance of strengthening the seafood value chain through modern traceability systems. He stressed that stakeholders across various levels from primary producers to exporters must actively participate in enhancing traceability. He also elaborated on the ongoing traceability initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which aims to enroll primary producers, including those in aquaculture and capture fisheries, to create a seamless traceability network. He highlighted the role of institutions like ICAR and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) in setting standards, providing training, and developing relevant technologies.

Delivering the presidential address, Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR, underscored how traceability is essential for boosting the global competitiveness of Indian fisheries products and for building consumer trust. He clarified that traceability is not limited to packaging; it encompasses every aspect of the value chain—including producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. In his keynote address, Shri Dodda Venkata Swamy, IAS, Chairman of MPEDA, underlined the need for improving quality standards not just for exports but also for domestic markets.

The workshop also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Fisheries, Uttarakhand, and ICAR-CIFT to establish fish processing unit for value added fishery products in Uttarakhand. The workshop saw active participation from officials representing central and state fisheries departments, ICAR research institutes, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), MPEDA, Export Inspection Council (EIC), NGOs, academic institutions, and the seafood industry.

The workshop featured extensive technical sessions and panel discussions where experts deliberated on how traceability enhances consumer confidence and fosters trust between producers and markets. Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, IAS, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Uttarakhand; Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera, ARS, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB); Shri Sanjay Dave, Former Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Former Director of APEDA; and Dr. Zynudheen A.A., Head of the Quality Assurance and Management Division, ICAR-CIFT, also spoke at the inaugural session.