Union Fisheries Joint Secretary Sagar Mehra is addressing a global workshop on the sidelines of the World Seafood Congress in Chennai.
Nearly one-third of the fish caught globally is lost or wasted during post-harvest processing, a top central government official said, highlighting India’s move towards sustainability-driven reforms in the marine sector.
Addressing a global workshop on the sidelines of the ongoing World Seafood Congress in Chennai, Union Fisheries Joint Secretary Sagar Mehra said reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening value addition will become the core of India’s marine content strategy.
He said the sector must now move beyond volume-focused growth towards responsible, sustainable integration into the value chain.
demand of time
“India currently produces about 20 million tonnes of fish, showing significant growth in recent years. Now, shifting from linear production models to circular value chains is the need of the hour, especially through scientific utilization of by-products and waste reduction,” Mehra said.
Increasingly, global buyers are demanding responsibly sourced and fully traceable supply chains in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said this indicates the need for collective action for stronger involvement of stakeholders to enhance governance.
He stressed that sourcing must be ecologically sustainable and economically viable, ensuring inclusion and long-term sustainability of small-scale fisheries and coastal communities.
The workshop organized by the Bay of Bengal Program Intergovernmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) in collaboration with the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) deliberated on strategies to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen regulatory frameworks, promote value addition from fish co-products capable of competing in sustainability-conscious global markets.
Growing medicine, industrial applications
Highlighting the potential for fisheries value addition, Kannappan, senior executive director of the National Fisheries Development Board, pointed to products such as chitin and chitosan derived from crustacean waste, noting their growing biomedical and industrial applications. Emphasizing the principles of circular economy, he called for optimal use of by-products to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.
Davood Sait, President, Indian Marine Goods Sector Association, said traceability is a big differentiator in the sector, especially in meeting the emerging demands of international markets. He said it would be important to strengthen the traceability system to ensure transparency and maintain export competitiveness.
BOBP-IGO Director P Krishnan said sustainable development in fisheries will depend on innovation, institutional coordination and responsible business practices in line with global standards.
The meeting felt the need to focus on credible global certification systems and stronger collaboration between industry, academia and government agencies.
Published on February 11, 2026
