Kerala Government Seeks Solutions Amid US Shrimp Export Ban

The Kerala government is addressing the impact of the US ban on wild-caught shrimp exports, which has affected fishermen and industry. A meeting with stakeholders is scheduled to find a solution. The ban, citing sea turtle protection, has led to lower prices and market disruptions.

The Kerala government has called a meeting with affected stakeholders, including fishermen and industry representatives, to address the challenges posed by the United States' ban on wild-caught shrimp exports.

State Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan announced that discussions with the fishermen's association, boat owners, exporters, and other key officials will take place on July 24, as disclosed in an official release on Thursday.

The US ban, in place since 2019 to protect sea turtles that get entangled in fishing nets, continues to impact Indian shrimp exports, leading to lower prices and significant market disruptions.

'Due to the US ban, other countries are purchasing Indian shrimps at reduced prices, adversely affecting the domestic market,' the minister's office stated, emphasizing that the crisis is a severe setback for the fisheries sector.

Fishermen's associations argue that sea turtles are rarely trapped in nets during trolling in most Indian regions. A specific troll ban exists on the Odisha coast during the breeding season of sea turtles.

Charles George, leader of Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikyavedi, criticized that many exporters have been compelled to shut down their businesses due to the US ban.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal mentioned last year that the US and India are working on a mechanism to facilitate the export of Indian shrimps to American markets.