India is working on a robust Product Passport framework for the fisheries sector as part of efforts to strengthen traceability standards and boost seafood exports, government sources told CNBC-TV18. The move comes as India seeks to raise seafood exports beyond $10 billion in FY27, after shipments touched $7.5 billion in FY26.The proposed Product Passport system will enable end-to-end digital traceability of fish and shrimp, tracking products from fishing vessels or farms to end consumers. Export consignments will be backed by documentation proving legal farming and harvesting practices, with boats expected to use transponder-linked applications to capture and maintain required records.
The initiative is aimed at meeting increasingly stringent quality, sustainability and food safety requirements in key export markets such as the US and the European Union. According to sources, exporters will need comprehensive digital records covering vessel details, farm registrations, geolocation data, production capacities and processing information.
Sources noted that implementing the framework will require closer coordination across a fragmented seafood supply chain involving the Centre, state fisheries departments, the Marine Products Export Development Authority and other stakeholders.In a parallel push to support the sector, the government is also considering lowering eligibility thresholds under the upcoming Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for fisheries to enable greater participation from MSMEs. Sources added that while efforts are underway to promote exports of fishmeal, safeguards will be needed to prevent juvenile fishing and ensure sustainable marine resources.
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