The Centre’s plans for blue economy 2.0 aimed at promoting climate-resilient activities and sustainable development in coastal areas will boost export potential from Andhra Pradesh.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her interim budget speech said that the scheme will focus on restoration and adaptation measures and expansion of coastal aquaculture, adopting an integrated and multi-sector approach.
She said that the scheme will focus on expansion of coastal aquaculture and mariculture, which plays a vital role in meeting growing demand for seafood while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
Andhra Pradesh shipped 2,83,224.9 MT of seafood worth ₹18,073 crore (USD 2,284.46 million) during 2022-23 and it has contributed 16.32 per cent of seafood exported through ports and air cargo by Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
The development of the blue economy sector is of strategic importance to Andhra Pradesh due to its vast coastline. The promotion of sustainable aquaculture practices will create economic opportunities for coastal communities while ensuring longterm viability of marine resources.
The Blue Economy 2.0 will boost research and innovation for sustainable development goals in coastal areas, said Shaik Lal Mohammad, joint director, fisheries department, Vizag.
Export of marine products from Andhra Pradesh has increased by six per cent in terms of quantity and increased by over 7 per cent in terms of value (in rupee) of product in 2022-23 fiscal year, despite odds.
General secretary of Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association, Satyanarayana Surada said that even as Vizag is one of the largest seafood hubs for export in Andhra Pradesh, development of cold chain facilities needs to go a long way to boost revenue from the overseas market.
“We are expecting the blue economy 2.0 to improve cold chain facility across the state to boost exports and it will create value addition to fish and shrimp and technology adoption in fishing,” he added.