The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, is implementing several strategic initiatives to strengthen seafood export infrastructure under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Under PMMSY, projects for the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, amounting to ₹21,394.88 crore with a Central share of ₹9,510.89 crore, have been approved, including those for the creation and strengthening of export infrastructure. Further, infrastructure has been augmented through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), under which 18 major projects, with a total project cost of ₹345.89 crore, have been supported, primarily for the expansion and modernization of fish processing plants. The year-wise and State-wise details of financial assistance provided under PMMSY and FIDF are enclosed at Annexure-II and Annexure-III, respectively. In addition, the MPEDA is implementing the Technology Development for Specific Value-Added Marine Products (TDSVMP) Scheme, under which financial assistance is provided for the development of value-added infrastructure. The Scheme supports the establishment and modernization of fish processing facilities, cold storage, automated processing machinery, infrastructure for handling live, chilled, ornamental, and dried fish, and the development of new value-added seafood products. During the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, MPEDA has provided financial assistance of ₹118.10 crore to 89 seafood processing units for infrastructure development under the Scheme.

1. The Export Inspection Council (EIC), under the Department of Commerce, is the Competent Authority for quality control and inspection of notified export products, including marine products. To ensure compliance with importing countries' requirements, EIC conducts periodic training on Food Safety Management System (FSMS) requirements for approved seafood export establishments and mandates testing of aquaculture shrimp for banned antibiotics during export certification. The MPEDA supports these efforts through pre-harvest testing, certification programmes such as SHAPHARI, and, together with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) and EIC, implementing the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP) to strengthen residue monitoring, traceability, and compliance with international standards. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, supports quality enhancement and export competitiveness through the PMMSY by promoting branding, standards and certification, capacity building, post-harvest infrastructure, cold-chain facilities, and the modernization of fishing harbours and fish landing centres. The Department of Fisheries, GoIalso supports the culture of export-oriented species such as Scampi, Mud Crab, Asian Seabass, and Cobia, and promotes advanced aquaculture technologies, including Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc technology. Further, the Department of Fisheries, GoI is promoting sustainable seafood production by supporting the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Project and the fitment of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on shrimp trawls under PMMSY. In addition, the CAA has updated the list of prohibited pharmacologically active substances and antimicrobial agents under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Rules, 2024, to strengthen compliance with international food safety requirements.

2. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has released the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2025, to establish a national digital traceability system across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain. The Framework aims to ensure compliance with domestic and international requirements, strengthen food safety, quality assurance, and transparency, enhance consumer confidence, and facilitate market access, thereby boosting seafood exports. It envisages a phased and technology-driven implementation through a National Level Governance Committee (NLGC) for strategic oversight and an Adoption Committee to facilitate the adoption of an IT-based national traceability system by fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders.

Annexure I

Statement regarding Traceability systems in seafood export.

Annexure II

Statement  regarding Traceability systems in seafood export.

(Rs. in crore)

Annexure III

Statement , regarding Traceability systems in seafood export.

     (Rs. in Crores)

This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.

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