Lok Sabha Question No. 4273 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Impact of United States Trade on Indian Marine Products
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4273 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  AUGUST, 2025

## Impact of United States Trade on Indian Marine Products

## 4273. Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the adverse impact that United States (US) trade restrictions  on  Indian  marine  products  have  had  on  small-scale  fishermen  and  seafood exporters, particularly in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details of these restrictions, including the compliance issues raised by the United States  and  the  specific  effects  on  export  volumes,  harbour  infrastructure  utilisation  and fishermen livelihoods in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Visakhapatnam;
- (c) whether any assessment has been made by the Government following the expiry of the temporary relaxation period granted by the US;
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to support fishermen and exporters through infrastructure  upgrades,  awareness  campaigns  and  coordination  with  State  fisheries departments to prevent long-term disruption of marine exports?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

- ( a) to (c) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, is aware of the trade measures taken by the United States on imports of certain goods, including marine products from India, involving sanitary compliance  and  sustainability  requirements.  These  measures  are applicable to multiple trading partners and are not specific to India. The overall impact on Indian  seafood  exports,  including  those  from  Andhra  Pradesh,  is  determined  by  a combination of factors such as product differentiation, demand conditions, quality standards, and contractual arrangements between exporters and importers.
- (d) The  Government,  in  consultation  with  seafood  exporters,  industry associations, entrepreneurs,  and  State  Fisheries  Departments,  continues  to  prioritise  the  welfare  of fishermen, seafood processors, and exporters. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  (PMMSY)  and  the  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  Infrastructure  Development  Fund (FIDF),  the  Government  is  supporting  the  creation  and  strengthening  of fisheries infrastructure including upgradation of fishing harbours and fish landing centres, development  of  modern  post-harvest,  cold  chain  and  processing  facilities,  adoption  of advanced  technologies  such  as  Recirculatory  Aquaculture  Systems  (RAS)  and  Biofloc, quality test and diagnostic  laboratories, promotion of export-oriented species etc..

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) promotes seafood exports through exporter registration, quality standard-setting, liaison with importers, capacity-building programmes, and participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets.

To ensure sustainability and uninterrupted supply of Indian seafood to various export markets including  the  U.S.  market,  the  Government  is  implementing  a  Marine  Mammal  Stock Assessment Project and  supporting the installation of Turtle  Excluder  Devices  (TEDs)  in shrimp trawlers under PMMSY. PMMSY also supports sea ranching, artificial reef installation, and other biodiversity  conservation  measures  to  secure  livelihoods  of  the  fishers.  These efforts,  along  with  species  and  market  diversification,  aim  to  maintain  export  access, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure the long-term competitiveness of India's marine sector.

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