The India Commonwealth Trade Council (ICTC) formally launched the Sustainable Fisheries Council, marking a significant advancement in promoting responsible marine trade and sustainable fisheries development at a global level.
The inauguration brought together distinguished diplomatic representatives and international delegations, focusing on the growing importance of sustainable fisheries within global trade and blue economy frameworks. The Ambassador of Timor-Leste was present at the launch, alongside delegations from Romania, several African nations, and Russia, reflecting the Council’s broad international engagement.
ICTC’s Sustainable Fisheries Council is a structured platform strengthening policy coordination, trade linkages, and sustainability standards across fisheries and marine ingredients. It boosts ecological productivity via cold chain, weighbridge‑verified e‑landings, AIS/GSM monitoring, and traceability; applies science‑based HCRs, SSF nearshore protections, vessel/effort caps, and food‑first rules; and aligns with FAO, SSF Guidelines, WTO, WWF, and SDGs to stabilize biomass, prices, labor, and livelihoods.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the India Commonwealth Trade Council (ICTC), emphasised the long-term vision behind the initiative, stating:
“The establishment of the Sustainable Fisheries Council reinforces our commitment to aligning international trade with environmental stewardship. Through strategic cooperation and knowledge-sharing, we aim to create a resilient and forward-looking fisheries ecosystem that benefits both industry and future generations.”
The Council’s framework is further strengthened by the extensive industry expertise of Dr. Mohamed Dawood Sait, Honorary Trade Commissioner of ICTC and Managing Director of SM Group, whose career reflects decades of progressive growth within the marine ingredients sector.
Beginning in 2007 with a 30-metric-tonne sterilized fishmeal manufacturing facility in Ullal, Mangalore, Dr. Mohamed Dawood Sait steadily expanded operations to achieve a production capacity of 1,350 metric tonnes of fish per day by 2013. Under his leadership, exports extended to key global markets including Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines .
Dr. Mohamed Dawood Sait currently serves as President of the Indian Marine Ingredient Association, where he works toward strengthening industry standards, advocating for producers, and advancing the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Indian fisheries.
During the inauguration, Dr. Mohamed Dawood Sait remarked:
“For the fisheries sector to remain globally competitive, sustainability must be integrated at every level — from sourcing to processing and export. This Council provides a collaborative mechanism to ensure that growth in trade is matched by responsibility and innovation.”
The launch of the Sustainable Fisheries Council reflects ICTC’s broader mandate to facilitate structured trade engagement and sector-specific cooperation across continents. With participation from Asia, Europe, Africa, and Eurasia, the initiative signals a unified global approach to strengthening sustainable fisheries governance and enhancing international trade partnerships.
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