Overview
- The two-day Blue Tides conclave in Kovalam brought together Kerala officials, Indian central ministers and envoys from 18 EU member states to map cooperation across the marine economy.
- Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian said 28 investors signed expressions of interest worth Rs 7,288 crore for prospective projects tied to the sector.
- EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin proposed a joint platform and nodal point to accelerate coordination between EU businesses, member states and the Kerala government.
- Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said expanded EU market access, especially for shrimp, could bolster jobs and foreign exchange, citing India’s emphasis on food safety and traceability.
- Speakers highlighted Kerala’s blue-economy drive anchored by assets such as the Vizhinjam deepwater port and a 600 km coastline, with discussions also responding to pressures from U.S. tariffs on seafood.