Sri Vijaya Puram, May 13: In a move aimed at strengthening deep-sea fishing capabilities and improving tuna export potential from the islands, the Department of Fisheries of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has organised a week-long exposure visit for selected fishermen and fisheries cooperative representatives to Kochi and Udupi.
The programme, being conducted in collaboration with the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training and funded by the National Fisheries Development Board under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, began on May 11 and will continue till May 16.
Six nominated representatives from South Andaman and North and Middle Andaman districts are participating in the exposure programme, which comes months after the declaration of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in November 2025.
The trainees include the chairman of the Andaman and Nicobar Fisheries Cooperative Federation, the chairman of the District Fisheries Cooperative Federation of North and Middle Andaman, applicants of deep-sea fishing vessels under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, and mechanised longline fishing vessel owners operating from Fisheries Landing Centre (FLC), Junglighat.
Officials said the exposure visit is intended to familiarise island fishermen with modern tuna handling systems, scientific post-harvest practices and export-oriented fishing operations as the administration moves to develop a structured tuna economy in the islands.
The Tuna Cluster initiative announced for the islands aims to promote sustainable tuna fisheries while building integrated infrastructure for harvesting, processing, value addition and export. Authorities have projected the initiative as a major economic opportunity for island fishermen engaged in deep-sea and longline fishing activities.
During the first day of the training at CIFNET in Kochi, participants underwent practical sessions focused on achieving sashimi-grade tuna quality and maintaining hygienic onboard fish handling systems. The programme included demonstrations on scientific fish preservation techniques, icing systems, onboard handling protocols and grading methods used in modern tuna fishing operations.
Experts from CIFNET also interacted with the trainees and highlighted the importance of maintaining international quality standards to improve export competitiveness and economic returns for fishermen.
Officials said improper handling and inadequate onboard preservation continue to affect fish quality and market value in many traditional fishing operations. Through the exposure programme, fishermen are being introduced to methods that could help them secure better prices in premium seafood markets.
The delegation also visited the Marine Products Export Development Authority on the second day of the programme, where officials conducted sessions on seafood exports and global market opportunities for tuna and allied fish species from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
According to the Fisheries Department, the session covered export procedures, international quality standards, value addition techniques and financial assistance schemes available for exporters in the fisheries sector.
Officials from MPEDA reportedly discussed the growing global demand for quality tuna products and the need for standardised handling, processing and traceability systems to improve export acceptance.
The interaction also focused on expanding the islands’ participation in the seafood export sector by strengthening infrastructure and improving awareness among fishermen regarding international market requirements.
Fishing remains one of the key livelihood sectors in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with longline tuna fishing emerging as a potential area for expansion due to the islands’ strategic location in rich tuna fishing grounds of the Indian Ocean region.
The administration has in recent years pushed for mechanisation, deep-sea fishing expansion and modernisation of fisheries infrastructure under central schemes, including PMMSY, with the aim of increasing fishermen income and reducing dependency on near-shore fishing activities.
Officials said the ongoing exposure visit is expected to help local fishermen adopt scientific fishing and fish handling practices that can improve product quality, increase export readiness and strengthen the islands’ developing tuna value chain.
