The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) held a stakeholder consultation in Kochi on 28 April 2026 and called for mandatory traceability in the fishmeal and fish oil sector. The consultation covered sustainability, sourcing, documentation, and regulatory compliance in marine resource use.
Fishmeal and Fish Oil Sector
Fishmeal is a protein-rich powder made from processed fish or fish waste, and fish oil is extracted during the same processing chain. These products are used in aquaculture feed, livestock feed, and pet food, and they form part of the global marine ingredient trade. End-to-end traceability in this sector covers the chain from harvest to processing and final consumption. Traceability systems usually record species, catch location, landing point, processor, batch number, and transport details.
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing is commonly called IUU fishing. It includes fishing without authorisation, failure to report catches, and fishing in violation of conservation or management rules. Documentation gaps and weak monitoring systems can allow unsustainable sourcing in marine supply chains. Traceability frameworks are used in fisheries management to support enforcement, export compliance, and product verification.
Alternative Raw Materials
The consultation discussed diversification of raw material sources to reduce pressure on conventional fish stocks. Mesopelagic resources, which are deep-sea species found in the ocean’s twilight zone, were identified as a possible alternative for fishmeal production. A CMFRI pilot study, described as the first of its kind in India, found that mesopelagic resources could be economically viable for fishmeal production. CMFRI has stated that further stock assessments will guide future interventions in the sector.
Institutional and Regulatory Context
CMFRI functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and conducts marine fisheries research in India. The national traceability framework was also discussed at the consultation, along with coordination between research institutions and industry. Fishmeal and fish oil are important inputs in aquaculture feed markets. Mesopelagic species are a deep-sea biological resource category that remains under-studied in many marine regions.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026