The two day symposium provides a platform for discussions on Kerala’s marine, coastal and backwater resources, with particular attention to opportunities, innovation, livelihoods and sustainable development.
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
CHERTHALA, KERALA, September 25, 2026: The Vembanad Dialogues: Global Symposium on Keralam’s Blue Economy brought together scientists, academics, policymakers, industry representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders at Naipunnya School of Management, Cherthala, to discuss the opportunities and challenges before Kerala’s emerging Blue Economy. The session was moderated by Dr. Jacob George C, while Dr. P. Shinoj, Principal Scientist at the ICAR Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, served as the resource person and presented his perspective on Kerala’s Blue Economy, its policy vision and the need for sustainable development.
Dr. Shinoj said that this is an important time for Kerala to move beyond discussions about the Blue Economy and focus on concrete action. Kerala has considerable marine and coastal resources, a large population whose livelihoods are connected with the ocean and fisheries, and substantial scientific and human capacity. These strengths provide a strong foundation for developing an integrated Blue Economy strategy.
The Blue Economy is essentially concerned with the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and employment. Sustainability therefore needs to remain at the centre of development planning. For Kerala, this approach has particular importance because fisheries, coastal communities, tourism, seafood processing, aquaculture and other marine activities are closely connected with the State’s economy and social life.
Dr. Shinoj stressed that the future of fisheries cannot depend only on increasing production. Greater attention is required to research, technology, entrepreneurship, processing, value addition and marketing of marine products. Modern infrastructure and innovation can help fishing communities obtain greater economic value from their work while strengthening Kerala’s seafood sector.
He also emphasized that the Blue Economy cannot be understood simply in terms of infrastructure or investment. Its success must also be examined through livelihoods, community welfare, resource sustainability, value chains and equitable development. Community participation is particularly important. Local knowledge accumulated by fishing and coastal communities can complement scientific knowledge and contribute to better resource management and policy making. Marine biotechnology is emerging as another important area of opportunity. Advances in biotechnology and new ocean research technologies are opening possibilities in biodiversity assessment, diagnostics, stock assessment and the discovery of commercially valuable biological compounds.
Genetics, genomics and environmental DNA technologies can provide valuable information about fish stocks, biodiversity and marine ecosystems. Such technologies can strengthen scientific assessment and support more effective management of marine resources. Marine bioprospecting also offers considerable potential. Biological compounds obtained from marine organisms can contribute to the development of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other high value products. This emerging field can create opportunities for research, innovation and entrepreneurship while adding economic value to marine biological resources.
Kerala already has a strong foundation in seafood processing. Kollam is an important centre for seafood related activities, with substantial fish landings and a number of seafood processing and export enterprises. However, there is considerable scope to move beyond primary processing and develop more value added products. Greater investment in advanced processing, product development, packaging, preservation and marketing can help increase the economic value generated from marine products.
Such value addition can create new employment opportunities and strengthen the competitiveness of Kerala’s seafood sector in domestic and international markets. Another emerging opportunity lies in converting fish and seafood processing waste into useful products. Materials that were once treated mainly as waste can increasingly be utilised through new technologies and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Fish processing byproducts can be used to produce fish oil, fish meal, compost and other useful products. Shellfish and other marine processing residues can also provide raw materials for compounds such as peptides, collagen and gelatin. This approach can reduce waste while creating additional sources of income for the fisheries and seafood processing sectors. It also demonstrates how circular economy principles can become part of Kerala’s Blue Economy strategy.
Digital technology is another important enabler. Geographic information systems, remote sensing, bioeconomic studies, spatial analysis and other decision support tools can provide valuable information for fisheries management, conservation and coastal planning. The integration of scientific data with digital technologies can improve understanding of marine ecosystems and help policymakers, researchers and communities make better informed decisions. A major area highlighted by Dr. Shinoj was ecosystem based fisheries management. Conventional fisheries management often focuses on individual fish stocks, whereas ecosystem based management takes a broader view of the marine environment and recognises the relationship between fish stocks, habitats, fishing activities and human communities.
The concept has been discussed internationally for more than two decades and is increasingly regarded as an important approach to implementing the principles of sustainable development and responsible fisheries. Ecosystem based fisheries management recognises that human beings are an integral part of marine ecosystems. The objective is therefore not simply to protect individual fish stocks, but to maintain healthy and productive ecosystems while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for fishing communities.
Effective implementation begins with a clear understanding of the ecosystem. Before introducing management measures, it is important to examine the condition of marine habitats, fishing activities, patterns of resource use and the ways in which development pressures are affecting the ecosystem. Such an approach can help identify the combined effects of different activities and support management strategies that balance ecological sustainability with the social and economic needs of coastal communities.
The discussion also turned to aquaculture, which Dr. Shinoj identified as an area with considerable potential for Kerala. Questions from the audience highlighted the need to strengthen aquaculture development, particularly through better access to quality fish seed and feed, improved farm management and clearer regulatory mechanisms.
Dr. Shinoj noted that Kerala produces a significant quantity of fish seed, but a substantial portion of aquaculture seed is still sourced from outside the State. Dependence on seed from other regions can create concerns relating to quality, disease transmission and the possible introduction of invasive species.
He pointed out that Kerala also has productive water bodies that remain underutilised, indicating scope for responsible expansion of aquaculture. However, such development requires appropriate policies, effective regulation and environmentally sound management practices. According to Dr. Shinoj, greater clarity is needed in the licensing and regulatory framework governing aquaculture. Several agencies and levels of administration are involved in areas such as leasing, licensing and regulation of aquaculture farms. Better coordination among implementing agencies could make the system more effective and transparent.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring the availability of quality fish seed and feed within the State. Farmers need access to reliable inputs as well as standard management practices that can improve productivity while reducing environmental risks. Farm level management is another area requiring attention. Dr. Shinoj observed that some aquaculture operations do not consistently follow appropriate hygiene and good management practices. Strengthening awareness, technical support and implementation of proper production standards can improve both farm productivity and environmental performance.
The audience interaction brought the discussion closer to the practical challenges faced by the sector. Questions relating to aquaculture demonstrated that the Blue Economy is not only a matter of broad policy but also depends on addressing issues faced by farmers, fishing communities, entrepreneurs and other resource users. Dr. Shinoj called for stronger policy attention, clearer legislation and better coordination among the agencies responsible for implementing aquaculture related regulations. A comprehensive approach is needed to ensure that aquaculture expands without compromising ecological and environmental safeguards.
The discussion also reinforced the broader principle that Kerala’s future Blue Economy should be built around sustainability, technology, coordinated public policy and community participation. The challenge is to translate this vision into practical, measurable and time bound programmes.
The Blue Economy therefore requires a combination of scientific research, technological innovation and community participation. Advanced technologies can provide new information, but effective management also depends on the knowledge and experience of people who have traditionally depended on marine resources. Bringing scientific knowledge and community knowledge together can improve decision making and make policies more responsive to local conditions.
The opportunities outlined by Dr. Shinoj demonstrate that Kerala’s Blue Economy extends far beyond conventional fisheries. Marine biotechnology, seafood value addition, waste utilisation, digital technologies, scientific decision support, aquaculture and ecosystem based fisheries management can together create a broader and more resilient economic framework.
Kerala’s geography provides a unique opportunity to connect the sea, coast, backwaters, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, traditional livelihoods, scientific research and emerging enterprises. The challenge is to ensure that these sectors develop in ways that complement one another without compromising the ecological foundations of the marine environment. The way forward lies in combining science with traditional knowledge, innovation with community participation, economic development with environmental responsibility and entrepreneurship with social inclusion.
With its rich natural resources, human capital and strong scientific institutions, Kerala has the foundations required to develop a Blue Economy that is environmentally responsible, economically productive and socially inclusive. The discussions at the symposium underline the need to move from vision to implementation. Stronger research, better technology, effective regulation, coordinated institutions, responsible entrepreneurship and meaningful participation of coastal communities can help Kerala translate its Blue Economy potential into sustainable development.
The priority now is to transform this potential into coordinated action and ensure that Kerala’s marine and coastal resources contribute to sustainable livelihoods, stronger communities, technological innovation and long term economic development.
