The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has called for urgent implementation of TED in fishing nets to address the ban and protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles. MPEDA’s Odisha chapter is spearheading efforts to encourage the adoption of this device in fishing trawl nets to prevent the deaths of Olive Ridley turtles and remove the U.S. ban.

Dr. Joice V. Thomas, Chief Executive of the Network for Fish Quality Management & Sustainable Fishing (NETFISH), explained that under Section 609 of the U.S. Public Law 101-162, shrimp can only be imported into the U.S. if the exporting nation ensures its shrimping practices do not adversely affect sea turtles. Currently, India has not been certified by the U.S. Department of State due to non-compliance with TED regulations, making it ineligible to export wild-caught shrimp to the U.S.

The ban has inflicted massive financial losses on India’s seafood sector, with annual losses estimated at Rs. 4,500 crore (USD 550 million). The Odisha MPEDA coordinator, Subhrakanta Mohapatra, emphasized the importance of implementing TED to mitigate these losses and protect both the shrimp industry and sea turtles. Mohapatra raised this issue at the State Level Stakeholders Workshop on TED Implementation, organized in collaboration with the Odisha Department of Fisheries.

TED is a critical device that allows turtles to escape fishing nets while still capturing shrimp. It significantly reduces the accidental capture of turtles by 97%, with only a 2% reduction in prawn catch. This device can play a crucial role in not only removing the U.S. shrimp export ban but also protecting endangered sea turtles along India’s coastlines.

Olive Ridley turtles, which nest along the Odisha coast, are highly protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Their primary nesting areas, such as the Gahirmatha rookery in Kendrapara district, are globally renowned as the largest nesting sites for this species. However, the mortality rate of Olive Ridleys is alarmingly high due to trawling operations, making the use of TED vital for their conservation.

Despite a 1998 Orissa High Court ruling mandating TED in all trawlers, compliance remains low, exacerbating the threat to Olive Ridley turtles. Debananda Bhanja, Additional Director of the Odisha Fisheries Department, highlighted that turtles often perish after becoming entangled in fishing nets or being struck by trawler propellers. Strengthened enforcement of TED usage is critical to protecting this endangered species.

The continued ban on wild-caught shrimp exports to the U.S. underscores the importance of adhering to sustainable fishing practices. For India’s seafood industry to recover, timely adoption of TED and compliance with U.S. regulations are crucial. This will not only safeguard the livelihoods of shrimp farmers and traders but also ensure the protection of the fragile marine ecosystem along India’s coastlines.

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A recent report, presented by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in collaboration with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, highlighted the severe impact of this ban on the livelihoods of Indian fishermen. The U.S. law prohibits the import of wild caught shrimp from fisheries that negatively impact marine wildlife, particularly sea turtles in India.

To address this, India has developed two designs of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) for trawl nets, meeting the technical standards of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These devices are intended to reduce turtle mortality by allowing them to escape from the nets. One of these designs has already been approved by NOAA, and field demonstrations are ongoing across maritime states to educate stakeholders about the importance of TEDs.

The report also stressed the need for India to establish a regulatory program focused on conserving marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and dugongs, in line with the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Failing to comply with these regulations could jeopardize the export of all wild-caught marine products to the U.S.

Indian marine scientists have argued that traditional fishing practices in India already include methods to reduce interactions between marine mammals and fisheries, underscoring the cultural importance of protecting turtles within the Indian fishing community. However, further efforts are necessary to align with international conservation standards and restore access to the lucrative U.S. market.

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