Marine Products Export Development Authority

• A hands-on training on value-added fish products was organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) recently.

ABOUT MPEDA

• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is a nodal coordinating, state-owned agency engaged in fishery production and allied activities.
• It was established in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act (MPEDA), 1972.
• It functions under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Headquarters- Kochi, Kerala.
• Its mandate is to increase exports of seafood including fisheries of all kinds, specifying standards, marketing, processing, extension and training in various aspects.
• Functions-
  • Developing and regulating off-shore and deep-sea fishing,
  • Registering fishing vessels,
  • Fixing of standards and specifications for marine products, etc.
  • Provide training in the concerned field to Fisherman, Aquaculture farmers, Fish processing workers, Stakeholders
• Rajiv Gandhi Center for Aquaculture (RGCA) is the R&D wing of MPEDA.

CURRENT STATUS

• India exported more than 17 lakh tonnes of marine products to 129 countries during the last financial year, but only 10% of this was value-added products.