Thiruvananthapuram, June 6(BPNS)
The Lakshwadeep administration has started exporting premium Tuna fish from the island to Tokyo, Japan through Bangaluru. The first consignment of chilled Tuna fish was transported from Agati airport to Bangaluru on Saturday. The administration has associated with a private partner for the export of Tuna from the island.
Lakshwadeep district collector, S Asker Ali in a press release said “We are planning to increase exports of Tuna fish from the Islands to Tokyo, Japan.”
The administration is planning to export 5 tonnes of Tuna daily from Island to Tokyo through Bengaluru and this chartered flight will bring all the essentials for the island from Bangaluru.
Of the 12,500 households in the islands, there are around 7,197 registered fishermen operating 2158 mechanized and motorized fishing boats. According to a study by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Lakshwadeep has the potential to export 1 lakh tonnes of Tuna fish a month.
According to Marine scientists and exporters Lakshwadeep Tunas have the least histamine content mainly due to the traditional hook and line fishing methods and short fishing durations.
Three major containerized ice plants with German technology were installed in Minicoy, Agatti, and Amini Islands and around 20-tonne cold storage facilities were provided on various islands.
The Lakshwadeep administration had conducted a meeting of Lakshwadeep Tuna Exporters and Stake holders meet in Kochi and around 50 exporters from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Goa participated.
Sashmi Food Private Ltd, a Bangaluru based export company that has European union approved the export plant had then come forward to export Tuna fish from Lakshwadeep to Tokyo, Japan.
The Lakshwadeep administration is planning to felicitate full-fledged tuna export both by air cargo and through vessel directly operated by selected export companies after September 15. An agreement will be signed between fishermen cooperative societies and the exporters.
Lakshwadeep District collector said that this would provide better price and open new markets for the premium Lakshwadeep Tunas.
