Centre aims to make Andaman & Nicobar Islands a tuna export hub
A concept note prepared by the Fisheries Department says that the Exclusive Economic Zone around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is home to a range of tuna species, with substantial untapped fishery resources
—————————————————————————————–.——————————-
Explanation of some new words and phrases
Hub .. Ot means a place where brisk and large scale activity takes place.
Concept note .. It’s just a proposal carrying a new idea, nothing more.
Exclusive Economic Zone .. It’s an imaginary line that is 370 kilometers from the seacoast of any country. Within these 370 kilometers, the country enjoys full ownership rights. The country can catch fish, do under-sea mining, and carry out any such economic activity without any opposition from other countries. The United Nations has created this idea and the rules related to it.
To be home to ..Old Bhubaneswar is home to scores of old temples built by different kings. Their size and architecture differ greatly.
Sustainable .. A thing that does not easily get exhausted.
Untapped .. Odisha still has many coal and iron ore mines that have not yet been exploited. Such resources are called ‘untapped’ resources.
Substantial untapped fishery resources… The Andaman and Nicober islands have large population of fishes that have not yet been caught and sold. Their quantities are so large that fishing in large scale will not reduce their stock.
——————————————————————————————————————————-.——————–
(The following news article has been taken from The Hindu,)
As export of tuna fish from India increased by 31.83% in 2023-24, the Centre is exploring new areas to source one of the most commercially valuable fish. According to the Union Fisheries Department, a recent meeting of investors held in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was a step towards making the Union Territory a hub of tuna export.
Q1. What prompted a group of investors to gather in The Andaman and Nicobar islands?
The global tuna market is worth $41.94 billion and the Indian Ocean is considered the second largest tuna region, producing 21% of world’s tuna. A concept note prepared by the department, a copy of which is available with The Hindu, says that the Exclusive Economic Zone around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is home to a range of tuna species, with substantial untapped fishery resources.
Q2. Why is the international trade in Tuna so high, standing zat $41.94 billion?
Q3. From where did the idea of making the Andaman and Nicobar islands a large Tuna hub come? What considerations were behind the concept note?
The department’s estimates suggest a total potential yield of 64,500 tonnes of tuna annually. Out of this, the Centre expects a stock of 24,000 tonnes of yellow fin tuna, which has a steady market across the world annually from the islands. Similarly, 22000 tonnes of skipjack tuna, 500 tonnes of bigeye tuna, and 18000 tonnes of neritic tuna may also available for exports from the Union Territory annually.
Q4. Name a few different species of Tuna. Which species is the most popular worldwide?
Q5. Roughly, what quantity of Tuna is available around the Andaman Islands? Out of this, how much will be the quantity of yellow-fin tuna?
Q6. What are the other varieties of Tuna that have an export market?
India exported 51,626 tonnes of tuna in 2023-24 worth $87.96 million, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority.
The concept note added that the islands primarily harvest neritic tuna, which is caught closer to the shore, while small quantities of oceanic species, including skipjack, big-eye, and yellowfin tuna, are also landed. “Despite the high demand for these species, the region’s tuna fishery is still underdeveloped and remains underutilised due to a combination of challenges, including lack of infrastructure, limited access to modern fishing technologies, and inadequate fish processing and storage facilities,” the note said.
Q7. What are the hurdles the exporters of different tuna variegties faced in boosting their export volumes?
By holding an investors’ meet, the Centre expects increased networking among the business communities and relevant stakeholders involved in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the islands, other parts of India, and the Southeast Asian region.
Q8. What the proposed investors’ meet likely to achieved with regard to increasing tuna exports?
The Centre sees that technological limitations such as lack of modern fishing technologies hamper the ability to optimise tuna catch rates. “Without a clear, sustainable fisheries management framework, the long-term viability of tuna stocks in the region could be compromised, potentially affecting future production. There is a need for greater skill development in modern tuna fishing practices, post-catch handling, and processing to enhance the value chain and ensure higher quality exports,” the note added.
Q9. What are the specific steps the concept note has highlighted to enhance tuna production and exports? What are the risks associated with overfishing of tuna?
The Centre hopes that tuna fishing, processing, and exports can provide substantial employment opportunities for local communities, especially for fishermen, workers in processing units, and entrepreneurs in related sectors. “Tuna is an important source of protein for the local population, especially in island communities with limited access to other sources of food,” the note said, adding that the expansion of the tuna fishery sector has the potential to boost regional and national economies through increased exports and value-added products.
Q10. Apart from enhanced export earning, what other benefits can come to the local community through higher tuna cultivation?