Kerala eyes seafood sector partnerships with the European Union

A two-day blue economy conclave held at scenic Kovalam here where Kerala and the European Union (EU) discussed future partnerships in the marine products sector has grabbed attention just when the prohibitory U.S. import tariffs have been posing stiff challenges to the Indian seafood sector.

Inaugurating the conclave on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said his State was “embracing the vision of blue economy” and that the EU collaboration EU would help expand opportunities for its fisheries sector. ‘Blues Tides – Kerala-European Union Blue Economy Conclave,’ organised by the State Fisheries Department over Thursday and Friday, was attended by the Ambassadors to India of several EU member nations.

The Kerala-EU partnership, the Kerala Chief Minister said, would have a strong foundation built on mutual respect and shared values. The seafood sector was one of the most exciting areas where Kerala can collaborate with EU, given the latter’s “global leadership” in marine technologies, ocean governance and sustainability frameworks, he said.

The Ambassador of European Union to India, Herve Delphin, said the EU has suggested to the Kerala Chief Minister that a “joint platform and nodal point” be created for making the collaboration between the two regions smooth.

“As we develop our footprints in India, it is important that the connections work seamlessly as possible for investors and at the official level. One idea that we submitted to the Chief Minister is to consider the creation of a joint platform and nodal point dedicated to working with EU, which could be an accelerator of cooperation between EU member states, businesses and government of Kerala,” Mr. Delphin said, speaking at the valedictory session on Friday.

Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, addressing the conclave on Thursday, had described collaboration with EU as a new door that has opened before Kerala after the ‘Trump tariffs’ hit the State’s seafood exports hard.

(One survey by a Kerala government-backed think tank had showed that the three-year average value of marine product exports from Kerala to the U.S. had risen from ₹513 crore during the three fiscals from 2014-15 to 2016-17 to ₹1093 crore during 2022-23 to 2024-25.)

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), who was a guest of honour on the second day, also described the proposed partnership between EU and Kerala as having immense potential for the expansion of trade and market access.

Mr. Singh described the EU as “a vital partner” to India’s fisheries sector. India values EU’s commitment to food safety and traceability, he said, adding that the Indian fisheries sector places thrust on traceability and contaminant control at every stage of the processs.

Ambassadors and representatives from 18 countries attended the conclave, according to the State government.