Lok Sabha Question No. 1193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Shrimp Exports
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1193 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  December, 2024

## Shrimp Exports

## 1193. Shri Hibi Eden:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken for lifting the embargo imposed by the United States of America on shrimp exports from India due to non-usage of Turtle Exclusive Devices (TED) on fishing nets, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) Whether any action plan has been made or steps have been taken to provide relief to the fishing community affected by the ban in the State of Kerala, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a)  and  (b):  Department  of  Commerce,  Government  of  India  through  Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has been proactively taking up the matter with USA through the Embassy of India (EoI) in Washington D. C. Department of Commerce through MPEDA in consultation with both the US Department of State and  the  National  Oceanic  and  Atmospheric  Administration  (NOAA)  has  tested several  versions  of  the  Turtle  Excluder  Device  (TED)  fabricated  by  ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT). Further, Department of Commerce through, MPEDA has organized State level workshop on popularization of the TED and is conducting awareness programmes among the boat owners and fishers across all the  major  harbors  and  landing  centers  of  the  country.  Further,  Department  of Commerce has taken up the matter through various bilateral mechanisms between India  and  the  US  at  both  official  and  ministerial  level.  Some  of  such  recent interventions have been through the India-US Trade Policy Forum  (TPF) held in New Delhi  in  January  2024  and  the  Trade  Policy  Forum  Inter-sessional  held  in September 2024.

In addition, Department of Fisheries, Government of India has requested all coastal States and Union Territories (UTs) to take necessary steps to review their respective Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA) with particular reference to harvesting of wild shrimp and use of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in trawl nets. All coastal States and Union Territories were also requested to consider immediate declaration of turtle conservation zones, sensitization of concerned authorities and fishermen for strict compliance of turtle conservation measures while fishing. Presently out of 13 coastal states/UTs,  9  have  already  amended  their  MFR  Acts  (Marine  Fishing  Regulation Acts) to mandate TED use.

USA has not implemented a blanket ban on Indian shrimp imports including Kerala. The  restrictions  are  specifically  targeted  at  wild-caught  shrimp,  primarily  due  to concerns regarding sea turtle conservation. While exports of wild-caught shrimp to the US  are  currently  limited,  exports  of  wild-caught  shrimp  to  other  countries  remain unaffected.  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  under  the  flagship scheme the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) provides livelihood and  nutritional  support  for  traditional  fisher's  families  during  the  fishing  ban/lean period.  To  supplement  the  amount  provided  by  Government  of  India,  the  State Government  may  also  provide  additional  amount  to  the  marine  fishermen  during ban/lean period, as per the state scheme. In addition to financial support during annual fish ban/lean period, the PMMSY scheme has several activities to provide additional or alternative livelihood opportunities to supplement the incomes of marine fishermen, viz. seaweed cultivation, marine cage cultivation, fish marketing outlets like fish kiosks, mobile vending outlets and support to take up brackish water aquaculture.

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