The Government of India has ordered strict implementation of registration of aquaculture farms with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority of India (CAAI) or any other designated agency. Without registration, the produce from the farm cannot be sold in the market.
The government issued a notification in this regard in October, which stated that processing/export houses should procure products only from aquaculture farms registered with CAAI or any of the designated agencies. The step has been taken keeping in mind the increased number of complaints and rejections of consignments by importing nations, especially European Union. Questions about the quality of seafood had been constantly raised as pesticide residues in the produce exceeded the permitted levels.
But registration will endanger the existence of large number of farms on ownership issues. A number of farms are working illegally in some states on government-owned or waste land.
Getting registration for these farms would be difficult.
