The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has emphasized the necessity of implementing traceability requirements in the fishmeal and fish oil industry due to escalating demand, which raises concerns about sustainability and unregulated sourcing. Stakeholders, including marine scientists, industry representatives, and policymakers, stressed the importance of end-to-end traceability from harvesting to processing to final consumption to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and ensure regulatory compliance and market trust.
Concerns were raised during a stakeholder consultation about potential gaps in documentation and monitoring systems that could facilitate unsustainable practices, underscoring the critical need for enhanced oversight. The event also underscored the significance of diversifying raw material sources to alleviate pressure on traditional fish stocks.
The consultation spotlighted mesopelagic resources, deep-sea species located in midwater zones, as a promising and underutilized alternative. A pilot study conducted by CMFRI, the first of its kind in India, suggested that these resources could be economically viable for fishmeal production, although further validation is recommended. CMFRI Director Grinson George emphasized the importance of basing any expansion of the fishmeal sector on sustainability and scientific evidence, committing to conducting comprehensive stock assessments to guide future actions.
George Ninan, Director of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, highlighted the essential role of fishmeal in fisheries and aquaculture, stressing the necessity of sustainable practices for conservation and improved price realization in both domestic and global markets. Deputy Commissioner, Fisheries, Sanjay Pandey, urged stakeholders to align with the national traceability framework to promote policy coherence.
Emphasizing the need for collaboration between research institutions and industry, Indian Council of Agricultural Research Assistant Director Shubdeep Ghosh called for transparent practices within the industry and emphasized the importance of robust industry research partnerships in developing reliable traceability systems and technologies. The consultation concluded that a coordinated, science-driven approach is crucial to balance the growth of the fishmeal sector with the long-term conservation of marine resources.
