Source: The Hindu
At the same time that reports are flowing in about shrinking yellowfin catches in India over the last 2 years, the Kochi-based National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, has set up a ‘chilled tuna plant' in Visakhapatnam.
This is in addition to the one in Kochi which commenced operations last year. The Visakhapatnam facility will be offered to exporters on lease, according officials at the institute.
The unit in Kochi is also being utilized by a private enterprise engaged in tuna exports. The demand for special-grade tuna is high in the international market. Tuna in the ‘Sashmi grade’ is exported mainly to Japan and countries in Europe.
The facility will be offered on ‘dry lease’ as the government does not own trawlers that can handle special-grade tuna, official sources said. Sashmi grade tuna should be processed within 48 hours of the catch.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) had launched projects to enhance the export of the species.