In a significant step towards strengthening India’s blue economy, the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, organized a stakeholder workshop on “Seaweed: Exploring Opportunities and Potential for Blue Economy”, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. K.N. Raghavan, Chief Executive Officer of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, emphasized the vast untapped export potential of seaweed and its strategic importance in diversifying India’s marine economy. He underscored the need for industry-driven scaling, quality assurance, and global market integration.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Ram Mohan, Director of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), highlighted policy support and emerging opportunities in seaweed cultivation, processing, and value addition, particularly in boosting coastal livelihoods and exports.

The workshop, chaired by Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, and Dr. Bindu J., Head, Fish Processing Division, ICAR-CIFT, featured technical sessions on value addition, nutraceuticals, safety, export pathways, and commercialization of seaweed-based products. The programme was convened by Dr. Remya S., Dr. C.O. Mohan, and Dr. Toms C. Joseph under an ICAR NASF Central Corpus Fund project in association with the Fisheries Incubation Centre (FIC) and the Zonal Technology Management & Agribusiness Incubation Centre, ICAR-CIFT.

Speakers for the technical session included Dr. Remya S., Dr. C.O. Mohan, Dr. Lekshmi R.G. Kumar, Dr. Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee, and Dr. P. Jayagopal. Industry perspectives were shared by leading entrepreneurs, including Mr. Nelson Vadasserry (Sea6 Energy), Mr. Jayan Nallacherry (Tralexho), Mr. Hari Krishnan (Meron Marine Hydrocolloids), Mr. Sundar Raj (ZCorp Organics Pvt. Ltd.), and Mr. Donkina Santhosh (Puakai AgriAqua), who outlined practical challenges, investment opportunities, and emerging market trends in the seaweed industry.

An interactive stakeholder session further explored collaboration opportunities and strategies for scaling up the seaweed value chain, reinforcing the importance of coordinated efforts between research institutions, industry, and government agencies.

The workshop reaffirmed the growing importance of seaweed as a sustainable resource for economic growth, export promotion, and environmental resilience within India’s blue economy framework.

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