The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) organised the grand finale of the inaugural National Skill Olympiad on seafood value addition today at the Seafood Expo Bharat in Chennai. MPEDA is a statutory organisation under administrative control of Department of Commerce. The Olympiad, a pioneering initiative by MPEDA, was launched to promote value addition in seafood exports and create a skilled workforce in the sector. In a closely contested final round, Thanseer K R of Abad Foods Malipuram, Kerala, was adjudged the winner. The awards were announced by Member of Parliament and Authority Member of MPEDA, Shri Hibi George Eden, and Chairman, MPEDA Shri D. V. Swamy.

As a precursor to the event, MPEDA conducted skill tests for trained professionals across the East and West coasts of India. The preliminary rounds were held in Kochi (West Coast Zone) on 29 May and in Visakhapatnam (East Coast Zone) on 5 June. Ten semi-finalists competed on 30 June, from whom four were selected for the final round.

A total of four trained seafood processing professionals competed in the final round of the Olympiad. Balamurugan I from Edhayam Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu secured the second position. Ms Sandya Rani Palaparthi from Coastal Cooperation Ltd, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh stood third, while Ms D. Anitha from Sandhya Aqua Exports Pvt Ltd, Kakinada secured the fourth position. The finalists were evaluated on parameters such as quality, hygiene, execution, and presentation.

The winner received a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. The second and third positions carried prize money of Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. A consolation prize of Rs 25,000 was awarded for the fourth position. All four finalists were also presented with medals and certificates.

Shri Hibi Eden appreciated MPEDA’s initiative in conducting the Olympiad and taking seafood value addition to new heights. Shri D. V. Swamy commended the participants for their skill and commitment and noted that the Olympiad is a novel effort aimed at making India a global hub for value-added seafood exports. He added that MPEDA plans to make the Olympiad an annual event.

The finale was attended by stakeholders including officials from the Central and State fisheries departments, seafood exporters, foreign buyers, and other delegates of Seafood Expo Bharat 2025.

Seafood products prepared by the finalists were displayed for public viewing, and a tasting session was held at the MPEDA Skill Olympiad pavilion.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2141360)