In A First Lakshadweep Starts Tuna Export to Tokyo

Lakshadweep administration on Saturday started the direct export of fresh Tuna fish to Japan via Bangalore through Air cargo.
“The first and trial consignment of chilled Tuna was successfully loaded at Agatti airport on June 5 and reached Bangalore,” the administration said in a statement on Sunday. “It is planned to expand the trade with more quantities, chartering exclusive cargo flights with 5 metric tonne capacity daily from Agatti to Bangalore for subsequent transport to Tokyo, Japan.”

This chartered flight will bring other essential commodities like hatchery eggs from Bangalore to Agatti and return with Tuna fish.
The administration said that as per the estimated data of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Lakshadweep can harvest up to a lakh metric tonne of Tuna annually.

“Lakshadweep is a completely organic territory and devoid of any polluting industries which make sure that no chemicals leach into the aquatic system making the marine resources here free from harmful contaminants. The Lakshadweep tunas are known to have the least histamine content mainly due to their traditional hook-and-line fishing method and short fishing durations. Hence, the tunas of Lakshadweep islands are considered to be of premium quality which can fetch the highest price in the international market,” said the administration.

Previously, efforts were made to export dry Tuna fish to Srilanka, however, the price offered was much lesser than the domestic Indian market, hence this could not succeed for long.

“Till now, sustainable basic infrastructure facilities, including ice plants, cold storage fish handling centers, etc. were inadequate. Now, three major containerized ice plants with German technology have been installed in Minicoy, Agatti and Amini islands on a war footing. Around 20 tonne-capacity cold storage facilities and other infrastructures also have been created in various Islands,” the administration said.

The statement said that a meeting of mega tuna exporters and stakeholders in Lakshadweep was held at Kochi. According to the administration, a Bangalore-based company, Sashmi food Pvt ltd with an approved chilled EU (European Union) export plant, which exports fish and fisheries products to Japan, has expressed its willingness to export Lakshadweep Tuna directly to Japan.

The company’s team had reached Agatti during the third week of May and started the groundwork with fishermen and their cooperative society. Fishermen were trained on good handling practices and transportation of packaging materials to Agatti. The Administration has deputed a team of senior officers of the Fisheries Department to facilitate the entire process at Agatti island, sources said.

Source: ToI