Marine imports touch Rs 89 cr

As the protest against import of marine products is brewing in the maritime states of the country, especially in Kerala, India imported fish worth Rs 89.19 crore during April-December, 2006-07.

This constitutes 10.66 per cent of India's total marine exports in 2006-07. The traditional fishermen, mechanised boat owners and workers are on an agitational path as import of fish, prawns, shrimp, crabs and other marine products would have a negative impact on the domestic fishing industry.

India imported fish and fish products worth Rs 99.6 crore during 2005-06 as per the latest estimate of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Of the total imports during April-December, 2006-07, products worth Rs 60.59 crore came from Bangladesh, followed by the USA and Norway with Rs 3.15 crore each. Sri Lanka accounted for Rs 2.75 crore, Indonesia, Rs 1.57 crore and Myanmar's share was Rs 1.13 crore. India imported fish from 33 countries across the world.

Interestingly, the protest against imports is mainly focused on Thailand. But India imported marine products worth a mere Rs 14 lakh from that country.

China exported products worth Rs 64 lakh, Canada Rs 1.12 crore, Japan Rs 91 lakh, Netherlands Rs 63 lakh, Singapore Rs 88 lakh, followed by Pakistan and Chile at Rs 33 lakh apiece.

Hilsa is a major constituent of India's import basket. It is a fish variety similar to Indian Black spot which is common in southern states, especially in Kerala. The country imported Hilsa worth Rs 51.69 crore, mainly from Bangladesh.

This item is mainly used by the Indian companies to fillet, process and export. Shrimps, prawns and lobster also contributed significantly to the import basket, with accelerated, freeze and dried (AFD) shrimp accounting for Rs 11 crore.

Other shrimp worth Rs 2.73 crore, prawns worth Rs 1.49 crore, cuttle fish worth Rs 2.34 crore, squid worth Rs 51 lakh and frozen lobster worth Rs 15 lakh were also imported during the period.