Context:
Recently, officials asserted that the entire value chain for India’s shrimp exports is certified by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and there is no scope for abusive conditions at shrimp farms.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA):
- MPEDA is a statutory organization mandated with the principal responsibility of promoting the export of marine products.
- Historical Background: Established through an act of Parliament in 1972, MPEDA emerged from the amalgamation of the erstwhile Marine Products Export Promotion Council, which was set up by the Government of India in September 1961. This merger took place on 24th August 1972.
- Functions:
- Overseeing and regulating offshore and deep-sea fishing, along with implementing conservation and management strategies for offshore and deep-sea fisheries;
- Enlisting fishing vessels, processing facilities, storage units for marine products, and transportation means used for marine product conveyance. Additionally, setting standards and specifications for marine products destined for export;
- Supervising the export of marine products and enrolling marine product exporters upon payment of stipulated fees.
- MPEDA operates five comprehensive Quality Control Laboratories located in Kochi, Nellore, Bhimavaram, Bhubaneshwar, and Porbandar. Moreover, MPEDA has established fifteen ELISA Screening Laboratories across maritime states.
- To cater to exporters across the country, MPEDA has instituted 18 Regional/Sub-Regional Divisions/Desk offices.
- Headquarters: Located in Kochi, Kerala.
- Trade Promotion offices are situated in New Delhi, Tokyo, and New York.
- Nodal Ministry overseeing MPEDA’s operations: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
