P. Surya Bhaskar from Devi Fisheries Limited in Kakinda, Andhra Pradesh, emerged as the winner of the National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition, held during the Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi. The event, organized by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), showcased the culinary skills and technical expertise of ten seafood processing professionals.
The competition was closely contested, with Muthu Kumaran of Theva & Co in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, securing the second position. Sagarika Sardar of SS Seafoods Private Limited in Kolkata, West Bengal, and Barabari Jena of Sabri Food Products Private Limited in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, were placed third and fourth, respectively. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners, with the first prize receiving Rs 1,00,000, followed by Rs 75,000 for the second position, Rs 50,000 for the third, and a consolation prize of Rs 25,000 for the fourth.
The finalists were tasked with preparing six value-added seafood products highly sought after in international markets, including Nobashi Shrimp, Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, Cooked Peeled Deveined Tail-On (PDTO) Shrimp, Marinated Shrimp Skewers, Breaded Squid Rings, and Fish Fillets. A panel of judges evaluated the competition based on technical skill, hygiene, precision, presentation, and product quality.
MPEDA conducted 50 seafood value addition training programs across India’s east and west coasts, training over 2,500 seafood processing workers and professionals. The regional rounds of the Olympiad were held in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, with the finalists selected from participants in the regional rounds. P. Jawahar, MPEDA Chairman, emphasized the Olympiad’s role in enhancing India’s seafood export ecosystem and building a competitive seafood sector meeting global market demands.
