Frequently asked questions and respond related to Publicity Section

Participation in international fairs
For export promotion, MPEDA participates in major international seafood fairs in the world and displays a wide range of India’s products especially value added products to generate awareness and demand.

MPEDA also encourage participation of Indian seafood exporters as co-exhibitors in selected international exhibitions. Besides these, various literatures promoting Indian seafood is also distributed to potential buyers and visitors. The trade enquiries received from such fairs are distributed to the exporters through MPEDA Newsletter, a monthly publication brought by MPEDA.

Advertisements in International Magazines
MPEDA releases a number of advertisements in leading and popular fishery magazines and trade journals abroad.

Buyer seller meet
MPEDA facilitates Trade delegation to visit India and sends delegation to leading seafood-buying countries to strengthen the trade links.

International delegation
MPEDA invites Trade delegation to visit India and sends delegation to leading seafood-buying countries to smoothen the trade links.

  1. Aqua Aquaria India
    MPEDA organizes biennial AQUA AQUARIA INDIA Exposition for giving further momentum in developing the aquaculture/ornamental fish sector in India once in 2 years.
    aquaaquaria.com
  2. India International Seafood Show
    MPEDA along with Seafood Exporters Association of India organizes a biennial India International Seafood Show in India. This event would provide the participants, which includes seafood buyers, processors and other stakeholders to interact and frame out strategies for mutual benefits.
    indianseafoodexpo.com

The Trade Promotion Offices of MPEDA acts as first contact point for buyers / importers and plays a vital role in liaisoning with local stakeholders including Government agencies. They provide vital input in policy decisions, market intelligence and assist in participating in seafood trade shows arranged in their region.

List of all publications including unpriced publications, Newsletter, Prime, etc.

ANNEXURE I

PRICE LIST OF MPEDA PUBLICATIONS / PERIODICALS

 PERIODICALSAnnual Subscription. (INR)
1.PRIME WEEKLY (PRICE INDICATOR FOR MARINE PRODUCTS) FOR ONE YEAR350.00
2.MPEDA NEWSLETTER FOR ONE YEAR1000.00
 PUBLICATIONSPrice per copy(postage extra)
3.LIVING JEWELS : A HANDBOOK ON FRESH WATER ORNAMENTAL FISH150.00
4.CHART ON COMMERCIAL FISHES OF INDIA75.00
5.CHART ON FRESH WATER ORNAMENTAL FISHES OF INDIA (NO STOCK)75.00
6.MPEDA ACT, RULES & REGULATIONS25.00
7.STATISTICS OF MARINE PRODUCTS 2007250.00
8STATISTICS OF MARINE PRODUCTS 2008350.00
9.SEAFOOD DELICACIES FROM INDIA100.00
10.INDIAN FISHERY HAND BOOK (NO STOCK) 
11.AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE ON COMMERCIAL FISHES AND SHELL FISHES OF INDIA (NO STOCK) 
12.PRODUCT CATALOGUE150.00
13.HAND BOOK ON ORNAMENTAL FISH DISEASES50.00
14.WATER QUALITY IN THE ORNAMENTAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY – SERIAL 1125.00
15.INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT OF LIVE FISH IN THE ORNAMENTAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY SERIAL 2125.00
16.LIVE FOOD CULTURE FOR THE ORNAMENTAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY – SERIAL 3125.00
17.BIO-SECURITY IN THE ORNAMENTAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY – SERIAL 4125.00
18.GUIDELINES – GREEN CERTIFICATION OF FRESH WATER ORNAMENTAL FISH100.00
19.ORNAMENTAL FISH BREEDERS/TRADERS DIRECTORY25.00
20.DIRECTORY OF EXPORTERS OF MARINE PRODUCTS (MAY 2010 EDITION)75.00

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc. Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock being cultivated. For statistical purposes, aquatic organisms which are harvested by an individual or corporate body which has owned them throughout their rearing period contribute to aquaculture, while aquatic organisms which are exploitable by the public as a common property resources, with or without appropriate licenses, are the harvest of fisheries.

CRUSTACEANS

Tiger shrimp – Penaeus monodonIndian white shrimp – Fenneropenaeus indicusBanana shrimp – Fenneropenaeus merguiensisWhite leg shrimp -Litopenaeus vannamei
Red tail shrimp – Fenneropenaeus penicillatusKuruma shrimp – Marsupenaeus japonicusMud crab – Scylla serrata
Mud crab – Scylla tranquebarica 
Cobia / Black king fish – Rachycentron canadum
 

The primary requisites for aquaculture are, suitable site with optimum soil/water quality, availability of perennial surface water source, infrastructure facilities like road/electricity/market access, trained/skilled manpower etc. Inputs such as feed/seed/fertilizers etc.

Inputs required for aquaculture is, feed, seed, fertilizers, chemicals, fuel etc. and are available with suppliers/dealers. List of approved hatcheries for seed supply is appended.

MPEDA extends technical assistance for establishment of the project and financial assistance in form of subsidy.

Feasibility report with a good farm design is required for construction and implementation of the project. MPEDA prepares and issue feasibility report free of cost on request.

NFDB, State Govts &BFDAs/FFDAs are providing certain types of technical & financial assistance programmes. MPEDA will not provide assistance if these are provided.

Registration of aquaculture farm with concerned authority is mandatory. Farm has to be registered with CAA for aquaculture in coastal area and to enroll with MPEDA for PHT for export of the produce. Permission is required from state fisheries dept for GIFT tilapia being exotic fish..

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Technical assistance/guidance may be availed from MPEDA through it’s Regional/Sub Regional Centres(Aquaculture) located in the maritime states. The expert guidance from site selection to harvest which is useful for the farmer will be available free. A farmer has to register his name/farm with MPEDA in a prescribed form available free with the RC/SRCs and enclosing the copy of required documents, viz; land ownership, site map. All the assistances/visits are free.

Interested individual, entrepreneur, group of farmers, society, company/corporate bodies, institutes etc. can avail the assistance.

MPEDA Regional Centres & Sub Regional centres established throughout coastal states in India. Tecnical assistance can be given any time to the needy.

Technical assistance is mostly free. Consultation programs taken up will be charged as per the agreements as arrived at.

Consultation programmes taken up as per agreements, PCR test and PHT are charged. Other assistances are free.

EXTENSION

MPEDA conducts training programmes, awareness campaigns, farmers meet, seminar/work shop, inter state study tour, demonstration

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Yes. Technical literature & certificate is provided during training programme.

MPEDA has these provisions stipulated in such programmes taken up from time to time.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Please see in the table AQUACULTURE SECTION SUBSIDY ASSISTANCE SCHEMES

Interested individual, entrepreneur, group of farmers, society, company/corporate bodies, institutes etc. can avail the financial assistance on stipulated terms..

Registration of aquaculture farm with concerned authority is mandatory. The beneficiaries should avail within one year after obtaining the license.

Financial assistance is available to beneficiaries availing bank loan and also for self financed projects. How and when to apply for such assistance?

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR SUBMISSION FOR AVAILING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

  • Application for assistance
  • Land Documents on ownership / certificate of compliance
  • Project report prepared / approved by MPEDA
  • No Objection Certificate from Revenue Authorities / Agriculture Department
  • Site map to scale
  • Village map showing the location
  • Village map showing the location
  • Source of income – own finance / loan sanction letter from bank
  • Declaration that he/she has not availed subsidy from any other source

Yes, but to the maximum as stipulated in the schemes. New farm development subsidy is restricted maximum 5 ha and to certain areas.

REGISTRATION OF FARMS

A farmer has to register his name/farm with MPEDA in a prescribed form available free with the RC/SRCs and enclosing the copy of required documents, viz; land ownership, site map. All the assistances/visits are free.

MPEDA needs all details pertaining to the farmers and the area proposed for aquaculture along with land ownership.

After receiving application from the farmer in the prescribed format along with copy of land documents, it is processed at RC/SRCs and survey is made to the site. If the site is suitable for aquaculture, the farmer/farm is registered for availing f technical assistance and a registration number is provided.

There are two types of registrations:

  • Registration for availing technical assistance
  • Enrolment of farm for PHT

Individual, entrepreneur, group of farmers, society, company/corporate body, institute etc. interested in aquaculture are eligible and the following documents are require to be submitted with application form:

  • Filled in application form
  • Copy of land ownership document, viz; patta/ sale deed/ revenue pass book /adangal etc.
  • Copy of site map certified by village revenue officer
  • Photo for PHT enrolment

On request, feasibility report is prepared and issued free of cost once the farmers is registered for availing technical assistance. Feasibility report prepared by the farmer himself if needs approval, the plan & design of which must be prepared by an approved engineer. The farm has also to be registered with required documents explained above and submit

Application for Registration should be submitted at MPEDA RC/SRCs enclosing the copy of required documents, viz; land ownership, site map for due verification

DIVERSIFICATION

Diversification in aquaculture is presented as an option for achieving sustainable development for a feasible economy. A production diversification process must be properly organized and planned in technical terms enabling to contributing to guaranteeing sustainable production systems which is socially acceptable.

The following species can be considered for commercial aquaculture production

Common NameScientific Name
Asian sea bassLates calcarifer
GrouperEpinephelus spp.
MilkfishChanos chanos
CobiaRachycentron canadum
Mud crabScylla serrata
Edible oysterCrassostrea spp.
Pearl oysterPinctada fucata, P. margaritifera
MusselsPerna viridis, P. indica
ClamsAnadara granosa, Paphia malabarica

 

Permission is required for introducing exotic aquatic species for culture production from MOA. State Fisheries depts. are allowed to extend permission for culture of Tilapia. Culture of L vannamei is permitted by registering with CAA.

RGCA, the R & D arm of MPEDA has standardized the technology for culture production of exportable variety of fin and shell fishes under diversification of aquacu8and started commercial production of seeds for species viz; sea bass mud crab, GIFT tilapia, high health tiger shrimp etc. To propagate the technologies among farmers in various parts of the country, RC/SRCs are conducting demonstrations in farmers’ pond.

Major inputs such as feed and seed are available through suppliers/dealers and seeds from RGCA hatchery in a limited scale. More hatcheries may establish on increased demand.

Training programmes are arranged by RGCA for entrepreneurs/frmers at their training centre at Sirkali, TN and small farmers may avil training from RC/SRCs of MPEDA.

QUALITY ISSUES

Pre Harvest Test (PHT) is mandatory for farms producing shrimps for export for presence of antibiotics in culture products. The test is conducted at ELISA laboratories established by MPEDA in all maritime states at different locations.

The farmer has to provide a sample before 15 days of harvest to ELISA lab. He sample will be collected by the sample collector who are engaged by the ELISA lab and placed at the neares sample collection out post or at the Lab. The anticipated date of harvest will be intimated to the ELISA lab/out post, so that the sample collector can reach the farm in time.

If emergency harvest is required due to unavoidable circumstances, the farmer has to send urgent message to lab /out post and sample collection will be arranged.

 

REGISTRATION

MPEDA came into existence on 20.04.1972 by an Act of Parliament (No.13 of 1972) in the 23rd year of the Republic of India.  Registration of exporters and processing entities is one of the statutory functions of MPEDA under Section 9(2)(b) and 9(2)(h) respectively of the MPEDA Act 1972. Production/Processing entities are registered under section 11 (1). of the MPEDA Act, 1972 read with rules 33 –34 of the MPEDA Rules, 1972.

The following types of entities are registered by MPEDA;

  1. Processing Plants
  2. Marine Product Exporters
  3. Fishing vessels
  4. Storage Premises
  5. Conveyance
  6. Pre-processing Centers
  7. Live Fish Handling Centre
  8. Chilled Fish Handling Centre
  9. Dried Fish Handling Centre
  10. Independent Cold Storages

(1)  Owner – Mean owner of a Processing Plant or handling facility of live, dried and chilled marine products and or Fishing Vessel  

(2)  Lessee – Mean a person taking an entire processing plant/handling facility on lease and becomes “owner” when he gets the MPEDA registration of the processing plant/handling facility transferred in his name.

(3) Processing Plant   –     Mean a freezing, canning or freeze drying plant duly approved by the EIA and having certificate of registration of Processing Plant issued by the MPEDA and having an approved Storage Premises.

(4) Handling Facility –       Mean a live fish handling facility or a dried fish handling facility or a chilled fish handling facility approved with a separate certificate of registration issued by MPEDA.

(5) Dried Marine Products– Mean dried marine products for human consumption. Other items like seashells, crab shells, shark bone, Cuttlefish bone and similar ones will be included under the category of “others” and the products allowed to be exported shall be mentioned in brackets.

(6) Factory vessel (FVPS) – Mean fishing vessels having facilities for processing, freezing, chilling and storing marine products

(7) Fishing Vessels    –      Mean vessels engaged in fishing activities where fishery products are stored in optimal conditions for further processing, freezing and packing on land.

(8) Freezer Vessels    –  Mean vessels where fishery products are frozen and stored for further processing and packing on land.

(9) Manufacturer Exporter  –     Mean an exporter who owns an approved Processing   Plant, Fishing Vessel (FVPS) or handling facility.

(10) Merchant Exporter –   is an exporter who does not own or operate a processing plant or handling facility but utilizes the surplus capacity of a processing plant or handling facility and whose name has been endorsed on the certificate of registration of processing plant or handling facility.

(11) Route through Exporter  –   is an Export House, Trading House, Star Trading House or Super Star Trading House approved by the Director General of Foreign Trade.

(12) Ornamental Fish Exporter– is an exporter of ornamental fish but not an exporter of live marine products for human consumption.

(13) Endorsement     –      to write one’s name and number or delete one’s name and number or any other amendment affected in the certificate of registration issued by the MPEDA.

(14) Processing –   in relation to marine products, includes the preservation of such products such as canning, freezing, drying, salting, smoking, peeling or filleting and any other method of processing which  the authority may, by notification in the Gazette of India, specify in this behalf.

REGISTRATION OF PRODUCTION/PROCESSING ENTITIES

Processing plant is a building / premises constructed as per the standards laid down by the EIC/ MPEDA and approved by the Assessment Panel of Experts (APE), wherein a freezing unit or any other processing machinery is installed for processing marine products in any form. 

Under Rule 34 (1) Secretary or other authorized officers are empowered to exercise powers of registration.  For purposes of deciding the jurisdiction of the Registering Office, the location of the head office/registered office of the applicant firm is the deciding factor.  However, in the case of processing plants where the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location of the processing plant, the Registering Offices will be the office having jurisdiction over the location of the processing plant.

Application should be in Form-II for processing plants, and will have to be submitted online (http://e-mpeda.nic.in/registration/Reg_login.aspx) to the registering office having jurisdiction over the location of the plant along with prescribed fee and enclosures.

    ­­­

Enclosures to be submitted along with application:

a. Project report

b. Plant layout

c. Declaration 

d. Permission from the Local body to run such processing unit.

e. Certified copy of Title deed.

f. Clearance certificate from Pollution Control Board, other documents, if any, as required by the registering authority. 

g. Names & addresses of owners/ Partners/ Directors/ Trustees etc. (documentary evidence in support of     ownership).

h. List of machinery.

a. On receipt of the application, the RD / SRD will check the entries, receipt of fees, signature, enclosures etc.

b. If any defect is noticed, the application must be returned mentioning the reason for return and the parties may be asked to resubmit the application after rectifying the defects.

c. If there are no defects, the RD / SRD may depute their officer for inspection of the processing plant, either independently or as a part of the Assessment Panel of Experts (APE).

d. Verification may be done as per the checklist provided.

e. On receipt of approval from the Assessment Panel of Experts (APE), registration may be granted to the processing plant.

f. Where no standards have been laid down under the Export (Quality Control & Inspection ) Act 1963 by the Ministry of Commerce, the standards laid down by the MPEDA may be followed for registration of processing plants.

g. For registering a Surumi processing plant, the procedure followed is the same. The Surumi processing plant should have the following equipments / machinery and infrastructure / in processing facilities:-

i. Washing of raw materials

ii. Processing and washing

iii. Meat separation

iv. Leaching

v. Dehydration

vi. Meat straining

vii. Mixing and seasoning

vii. Weighing and forming

ix. Freezing

x. Storing

xi. Effluent Treatment plant / water recycling plant

  1. This certificate of registration is granted subject to the provisions of the Marine Products Export Development Authority Rules, 1972.
  2. Any change in the lay-out design or capacity or other matters should be got approved by the Authority.
  3. The sanitary and hygienic requirements should conform to the regulations issued in this behalf of the Export Inspection Agency and the Authority from time to time.
  4. The owner should use only approved chemicals for preservation, processing and storage of marine products.
  5. The owner shall also comply with such other instructions as may, from time to time, be issued by the Authority.
  6. The exporters / processing plant will procure raw material only from approved peeling sheds / pre-processing centers registered by MPEDA.
  7. Raw material of exotic shrimp species processed in the processing plant / pre-processing centre /handling centre shall be from a farm registered with Coastal Aquaculture Authority / State Department of Fisheries and the plant / centre shall maintain all documents to ensure 100% traceability.

Refusal of application [Rule 34 (2)] & [Rule 35(2)]

 

An application may be refused;

a. If the processing plant does not conform to the standards.

b. If there are adverse reports from the financial institutions against any of the Directors/Partners/proprietor.

c. If there is insufficient potable water at the premises.

d. If technically qualified personnel are not available to manage the plant;

e. Unsatisfactory arrangement for disposal of effluents.

f. In the absence of valid license from the local bodies and if the Authority feels that the plant is situated at a place where it will be injurious to the inhabitants.

g. If there is no clearance from the agencies concerned with protection of environment and public health (Pollution Control Board etc.)

h. If there is no mini lab attached with plant.

i. If the applicant fails to submit any information / document as required by the Registering Office.

APE clearance / Physical verification by competent authority is a pre-requisite for issue of certificate of registration of Processing Plant. 

If any of the production/processing entities is leased out to another person, he is called a “lessee”. If an owner leases out any one of these entities to a lessee, the latter’s name will be endorsed in the certificate of registration, if the lease agreement is for a period of three or more years.

In the case of production / processing entities, the facilities/amenities of each entity may gradually change/deteriorate within one or two years and each. entity may not conform to the standards under which the respective registration was granted. Hence MPEDA is granting revalidation of registration to each entity once in every two years after due verification and satisfaction that each entity conforms to the respective standards prescribed/adopted by MPEDA.  Here also APE/Physical verification clearance is a pre-requisite. Renewal is applicable in case of all registrations including Fishing Vessels and Exporters.

[Rule 36]

 

“Where the Secretary or other officer is satisfied that any person has obtained a certificate of registration under rule 34 by furnishing incorrect information or that he has contravened any of the provisions of these rules or of the conditions mentioned in the certificate of registration, the Secretary or such officer may, without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against such person, by order cancel the certificate of registration. Provided that before cancelling such certificate, the person concerned shall be given an opportunity to make its representations. Provided further that a copy of the order together with the reasons for the cancellation shall be communicated to the person concerned”.

 

The circumstances under which  the certificate of registration of a processing plant being cancelled are as follows:

  1. Any tampering of the certificate will result in cancellation of the certificate.
  2. When a registered processing plant is leased out for processing of meat or vegetables or any other item other than marine products, the registration certificate issued to the party shall be cancelled.
  3. In case of quality complaint arising out of poor maintenance of the processing plant, ie. due to negligence in maintaining the plant and its operation in accordance with the standards prescribed, the certificate of registration will be cancelled after issuing show-cause notice.
  4. If the registration has been obtained by furnishing false information/forged documents the registration will be cancelled.
  5. Registered processing plant with/without any machinery, which is lying idle for more than 2 years may be cancelled.

“Any person aggrieved by an order of refusal under rule 34 or rule 35 or an order of cancellation under rule 36 may, within 30 days from the date of receipt by him of a copy of the order of refusal or cancellation, as the case may be, appeal to the Chairman who may either affirm, vary or set aside such order.”

If the owner of the processing plant was a partnership/proprietary concern and later on changed its constitution to a body corporate, the body corporate has to apply for fresh endorsement in their Certificate within one month of effecting such changes.  Copy of the certificate of incorporation has to be furnished.

If a proprietary concern changes into a partnership firm, a fresh application effecting such changes in the constitution has to be made within one month of such changes. Partnership deed has to be furnished.

The new owner has to submit a fresh application form, declaration and documentary proof of change of ownership (no other document such as layout or NOC from local body is required)

If there is a noting of hypothecation/lien in the certificate, no objection from the bank has to be obtained before endorsing the change of ownership.

If the hypothecation / lien is changed to another branch or bank and if the new branch / bank desired to have the hypothecation noted, a fresh form prescribed for noting hypothecation signed by the authorized signatory of the new bank / branch has to be submitted along with a copy of the hypothecation deed.  The change of ownership shall be endorsed in the existing certificate itself.

If the party does not apply, it may be brought to their notice by Registering Office and if no response is received action may be initiated for deregistration. 

Whenever there is a change in name of the firm, the owner must apply afresh for endorsement of such change within 30 days along with a fee of ₹ 1,000/-. Endorsement will be done on the original Certificate of registration by the Registering Authority under intimation to HO. 

The minimum period of lease of the premises should be 2 years for processing plants. Before giving registration, it would, therefore be ensured that the premises are on lease at least for 2 years. However, in case of exporters who take a processing unit on lease shall have a lease agreement of minimum 3 years to be granted registration as manufacturer exporter.

An officer not below the rank of Asst. Director shall be deputed to the Processing Plant and Cold Storage and an officer not below the rank of Technical Assistant to fishing vessel to inspect and certify verification for issuing registration certificate.

 

REGISTRATION OF EXPORTERS

Yes. Registration as an exporter (both merchant and manufacturer  exporter)  is granted under section 9(2)(h) of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Act 1972 read with rules  40-42 of MPEDA Rules. 

 

Rule 40 (1) “No person shall, after the expiration of two months from the date of coming into force of this rule, export any marine products unless he has been registered as an exporter with the Authority. The applicant will be allowed to export during the period of one month pending issue of the Certificate of Registration.  Provided that this Rule shall not apply to the export of marine products:- 

  1. by or on behalf of the Central Government or the Authority or any person authorized by the Central Government or the Authority to export marine products;
  2. by means of gift parcel or sending of samples (maximum ₹ 10,000/-);
  3. as personal effects of passengers (maximum ₹ 5000/-);
  4. for any non-commercial purposes (maximum  ₹ 25,000/-; and
  5. for any exhibition abroad (maximum ₹1,00,000/-)

Under Rule 41(1) and 42(1), Secretary or other authorized officers are empowered to exercise powers of registration.  

Application shall be submitted online (http://e-mpeda.nic.in/registration/Reg_login. aspx)  along with  prescribed fees and the following  documents to the concerned registering office under whose jurisdiction the registered or Head Office of the applicant is located,: –

  1. Passport size photograph of the applicant
  2. Proof of address (PAN Card / Voters ID Card / Passport)
  3. Copy of written agreement for utilization of surplus   capacity of Processing Plant and Handling Facility.
  4. Original of the joint undertaking by the owner of Processing Plant and Handling Facility.
  5. Original Registration Certificate of Processing Plant/ Handling Facility for endorsement.
  6. Original Registration Certificate of Storage premises  for endorsement
  7. Fee for endorsement (Cash or Demand Draft favoring  MPEDA)
  8. Certificate from Scheduled Bank showing financial soundness
  9. Copy of the Certificate of Importer Exporter Code  (IEC) issued by DGFT
  10. Approval letter issued by DGFT in case of Route- through Merchant Exporter
  11. Registration fee of ₹5,000/- (Cash or Demand Draft   favoring MPEDA)
  12. Copy of the purchase order

“On receipt of an application for the grant of a certificate of registration, the Secretary or other officer, may, after making such inquiry as he deems necessary either grant or by order refuse such registration.”

 

Application for registration as an exporter shall be refused in the following cases: 

 

  1. If the proprietor or any of the Partners / Directors has been convicted by a court of Law.
  2. If there is any pending trade dispute against the applicant.
  3. If there is any pending complaint against any firm in which the Proprietor or any of the Partners / Directors is involved.
  4. If registering office feels that it is a benami concern or it has information that it is so.
  5. If the applicant’s registration certificate has been cancelled earlier.
  6. If the applicant had violated MPEDA Act / Rules.
  7. If the applicant failed to submit any information as required by the registering office.
  8. If the application is refused on grounds (4) and (5) above, the matter may be referred to MPEDA HO. 
  9. Any other reason, which the Authority has stipulated.  

Where the application for registration is not refused, the Certificate of Registration is issued in Form X subject to the following conditions:-

 

  1. Certificate of registration is granted subject to the provisions of the Marine Products Export Development Authority Rules 1972, as amended from time to time.
  2. The holder will abide by the Guidelines dated 23.07.2004 of MPEDA for issue of Certificate of Registration as an Exporter, as amended from time to time.
  3. Only the item(s) permitted to be exported vide Sl.No.4 of the certificate will be exported.
  4. The exporter shall ensure that the quality of the marine products exported by him conform to the specifications recognized by the Central Government under Section 6 of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act 1963 (21 of 1963) and Rules, Regulations and instructions there under, as amended from time to time.
  5. The exporter shall conform to the Rules, Regulations and instructions issued by the Export Inspection Council of India, Export Inspection Agency and the Authority from time to time in respect of packing, quality control, pre-shipment inspection and all other matters.
  6. The sanitary and other hygienic requirements relating to preservation, processing and storage of marine products should also conform to the regulations issued by the Export Inspection Council, Export Inspection Agency and Authority from time to time.
  7. The exporter shall process, handle, pack or store the items allowed for export as above only in premises registered with MPEDA and approved by the EIA.
  8. The certificate of registration issued to an exporter will be valid for a period of 3 years unless other specified.
  9. The certificate is liable to be cancelled for any act of omission or commission by the holder or by any person utilizing the surplus capacity of a processing plant or live fish or dried fish or chilled fish handling facility owned/operated by the holder, either in respect of quality issues or for trade related issues, including cheating, whether or not the complaint can be attributed to the processing unit or handling facility.
  10. The registration shall cease to have validity if the holder becomes no longer entitled to such registration under the provisions of the Guidelines dated 23.-07.2004 of MPEDA for issuing Certificate of Registration as an Exporter, as amended from time to time.
  11. The exporter shall indicate in every invoice and shipping bill the name and the MPEDA registration number of the processing plant or handling facility where the marine product being exported has been processed/handled.
  12. The exporter shall comply with such other instructions as may, from time to time, be issued by the Government of India, the Authority, the Export Inspection Council of India and the Export Inspection Agency.
  13. The exporters / processing plant will procure raw material only from approved peeling sheds / pre-processing centers registered by MPEDA.

As per the New Guidelines dated 23.07.2004, exporters are categorized into four, viz:- 

1. Manufacturer Exporter – owner of an approved processing plant, or an approved fishing vessel having onboard processing facilities, or live fish handling facility, or chilled fish handling facility or dried fish handling facility.

2. Merchant Exporter – an exporter who does not own a processing plant, but utilizes the surplus capacity of an approved processing or handling facility.

3. Route through Merchant Exporter – Does an Export House, a Trading House, Star Trading House or Super Star Trading House possess a certificate of approval issued by the DGFT?

4. Ornamental Fish Exporter – is an exporter of ornamental fish but not an exporter of live marine products for human consumption.

 The marine products are classified into 9 categories as given below:- 

  1. Frozen Marine Products
  2. Canned Marine Products
  3. Freeze Dried Marine Products
  4. Live Marine Products, other than Ornamental Fish
  5. Dried Marine Products
  6. Chilled Marine Products
  7. Ornamental Fish
  8. Other Edible Marine Products (Specify)
  9. Other Non Edible Marine Products (Specify)

Merchant exporters of marine products of category 1-3 are required to process from an approved processing (freezing) plant/canning plant.  Merchant exporters of marine products of category 4-6 are required to process from an approved live/dried/chilled fish handling facility.

Non-edible items (such as sea shells, fish bones, oyster powder, prawn feed, fish meal which are not meant for human consumption) are grouped under the category of “Others”, for which also Processing/Handling facility is required.

The products registered under “others” are classified into two.  They are “Others – Edible” & “Others- non edible”.

A. The products which are coming under “Others – Edible” category is given below:

i. Agar Agar   

ii. Sea Weed(Edible) 

iii. Fish Maws(Edible)     

iv. Fish Oil (Edible)

v. Fish Collagen Peptide

vi. Fish Protein powder  

vii. Fish Meal(Edible)  

viii. Fish gelatin 

ix. Seaweed Products (Edible)    

x. Kappa Carrageenan     

xi. Chitin

xii. Chitosan  

xiii. Glucosamine   

xiv. Surimi/ Fish Paste

xv. Surimi Analogue Products    

B. The products which are coming under “Others – Non-Edible” category is given below:

i. Sea Shells                                                                                                

ii. Oyster Shell/Grit/Powder                         

iii. Cultured Pearls    

iv. Wet Salted Stingray Skin 

v. Dried Stingray Skin/Head/Bone/Headbone 

vi. Cuttle Fish Bones                                                                             

vii. Crab Shell     

viii. Fish Skin/Nails/Gills/Scale  

ix. Prawn Feed   

x. Squid Meal 

xi. Fish Bone  

xii. Fish Head Bone b           

xiii. Shrimp Shell / Shrimp  meal 

xiv. Polished Sea Shell

xv. Shrimp Head & Shell Meat       

xvi. Fish paste/Fish Silage (Non-edible)    

xvii. Fish Oil (Non-edible)     

xviii. Animal Feed

xix. Live Aquarium Plants  

xx. Dried Shrimp Shell    

xxi. Fish Powder (Non-edible)    

xxii. Operculum of Non-Restricted Species 

xxiii. Fish Feed (Non-edible)   

xxiv. Fish Meal (Non-edible)  

xxv. Sea Weed (Non-edible)  

xxvi. Dried Shark Skin/Head/Tail  

xxvii. Seaweed Products(Non-edible)

xxviii. Fish Soluble Powder (Non-edible)    

xxix. Fish Protein Hydrolysate Powder (Non-edible)     

xxx. Shrimp Seed 

xxxi. Fish Seed  

xxxii. Crab Seed 

xxxiii. Fish Based Organic Fertilizer     

xxxiv. Fish Soluble Paste (Non-edible) 

xxxv. Scallop Shells

xxxvi. Scampi Seed 

The registration of all entities is granted online.  The field offices are empowered to register Manufacturer Exporter, Route Through Merchant Exporter and Ornamental Fish Exporter coming under their jurisdiction. However, for registering a new Merchant Exporter, the online approval is accorded by Secretary, MPEDA. 

Merchant Exporters should fulfill the following conditions highlighted in the guidelines for obtaining registration:

  1. The certificate of registration as an exporter issued to a merchant exporter should indicate the name and number of the processing plant/handling facility and the storage premises the production from which alone the holder is allowed to export.
  2. The name and number of the merchant exporter utilizing the surplus capacity of processing plant or handling facility shall be endorsed on the certificates of registration of processing plant/handling facility and storage premises.  However, for endorsing such agreements, a fee of ₹15,000/- (Rupees fifteen thousand only) need to be collected for (a) endorsing the name of the exporter in the certificate of processing plant, (b) in the certificate of storage premises, and (c) for endorsing the processing plant registration number in the certificate of registration as an exporter. 
  3. Merchant exporters shall enter into a regular written agreement with the owner of the plant or handling facility for a period not less than 3 years.
  4. With a view to preventing frequent cancellation of agreements to circumvent the stipulation of 3-year agreement, once an agreement of 3-years is terminated prematurely, only one more chance would be given to the exporter to enter into an agreement.
  5. When merchant exporters, on expiry of their processing agreement wishes to renew/enter into another processing agreement, such requests being normal, may be decided by the head of the field offices themselves, verifying whether there is surplus capacity etc and endorse the processing agreements without referring to MPEDA HO.  Requests for multiple processing agreements by the merchant exporters need to be approved by MPEDA HO.
  6. Ordinarily no merchant exporter will be allowed to enter into an agreement with the owners of more than one processing plant for utilizing the surplus capacity.  However, agreements with more than one processing plant can be allowed if the need for the same could be established before the MPEDA on the basis of previous export record of the applicant and the processing requirements.  The onus of proving such need will be on the applicant.  The maximum number of agreements will be limited to four (4).  However, an application for entering into more than one agreement will have to be forwarded by the field offices to the Head Office for consideration and approval.
  7. The owner of the plant/handling facility and the merchant exporter will be jointly responsible for acts of omission or commission by the exporter.
  8. Merchant exporters will have to indicate the name and number of the processing plant or handling facility and its EIA approval number in the invoice for export of every consignment.
  9. The merchant exporter who is utilizing the surplus capacity of processing plant or handling facility will have to export:

a. in his own name

b. in the name of the owner of the processing plant or handling facility

c. In the name of an Export House, Trading House, Star Trading House or Super Star Trading House and he (Merchant Exporter) shall not export in the name of other Merchant or Manufacturer exporters.

a. The name and number of the merchant exporter shall be deleted from the certificate of registration of processing plant, handling facility and storage premises by the owner.

b. Concurrence of merchant exporter is not necessary for the deletion of his name from the registration certificates.

c. The registration as an exporter issued to the merchant exporter will be valid for 12 months from the date of deletion of his name from the certificate of registration of processing plant or handling facility and storage premises.

d. The exporter certificate will continue to be valid if he enters into agreement with another owner before the expiry of 12 months if the exporter certificate is not cancelled before that for any other reason.

e. If the merchant exporter whose agreement has ceased to exist does not enter into an agreement before the expiry of 12 months or does not enter into an agreement with another processor, he shall export only those marine products already processed, packed and stored in the approved processing plant and shall not export marine products processed in any other processing plants. The 12 months period is given to enable the exporter to claim benefits due to him for his previous exports.

Merchant exporters of frozen marine products who are registered on or after 2nd June 2005 are categorized as ‘New Merchant Exporters’ who should submit a Bank Guarantee of ₹ 15.00 Lakh for a period of five (5) years to MPEDA for enforcing accountability and for honoring the settlement in cases of quality complaints and trade disputes.  The field officers concerned should invariably cross check with the concerned bank the genuineness of the bank guarantee   and also certify that the Bank Guarantee has been verified with the bank, while recommending the case to Head Office.   This bank guarantee shall be renewed after the expiry of 5 years.

Merchant exporters will have to submit an additional bank guarantee of ₹ 10.00 lakh for a period of 5 years if they enter into a second processing agreement with a processing plant located in another state. 

Pre-mature release of bank guarantee to a merchant exporter who does not wish to continue export, shall be done only after one year from the date of export of the last consignment by the exporter.  

The merchant exporter who is utilizing the surplus capacity will have to execute a joint undertaking with the owner of the processing plant or handling facility in stamp paper worth ₹ 200/- that they will be fully responsible for the marine products processed, packed and stored in their premises.  

The validity period of the certificate of registration as an exporter issued to the exporters of marine products (both manufacturer and merchant exporters) is fixed as three (3) years.

Before the expiry of the validity period the exporter concerned should approach MPEDA for renewal/ revalidation of certificate of registration.  A fee of ₹1000/- will be charged as endorsement fee for revalidating the certificate of registration.  

    1. In processing plants having freezing or freeze-drying capacity of 5 MTs and below per day, only the owner is permitted to process.  In case he does not wish to process, one merchant or manufacturer can be permitted to process in his place.
    2. In processing plants having freezing or freeze drying capacity of 10 MTs or below, but above 5 MTs, apart from the owner, one merchant or manufacturer can utilize the surplus capacity.
    3. In processing plants having freezing or freeze drying capacity of above 10 MTs the owner and a maximum of two merchant or manufacturer exporters are permitted.
    4. The owner of a live fish handling facility, dried fish handling facility or chilled fish handling facility are permitted to take on up to 2 merchant or manufacturer exporters of live fish, dried or chilled fish as the case may be,  to utilize the surplus capacity of the handling facility, irrespective of the capacity of the handling facility.
    5. When an owner of a processing plant or handling facility does not wish to process and export from his processing plant or handling facility, he will be allowed to take on an extra merchant or manufacturer exporter in his place.  However, he will have to surrender his exporter certificate for cancellation, if he does not own and operate another processing plant or handling facility.

Route through Merchant Exporter is an Export House, a Trading House, Star Trading House or Super Star Trading House possessing a certificate of approval issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade. Separate endorsement regarding utilization of surplus capacity of processing plants etc need not be required as Route through Merchant Exporters are to export marine products of either manufacturer exporters or merchant exporters. 

Ornamental Fish Exporter is an exporter of ornamental / aquarium fish, but not an exporter of live marine products for human consumption. 

A Manufacturer Exporter is an exporter who is an owner of an approved Processing Plant or Handling Facility, or has taken a processing plant or handling facility on lease and utilizes the processing or handling facility for export production.  For utilizing the surplus capacity of another processing plant or handling facility, the following documents are to be produced:

 

  1. A manufacturer exporter is permitted to process from any number of plants.  No endorsement is required in his certificate of registration as an exporter to indicate the name of the processing plant where he is processing.
  2. A manufacturer exporter shall enter into a regular written agreement with the owner valid for a period of three years with the conditions stipulated by MPEDA.
  3. The manufacturer exporter who utilizes surplus capacity of a processing plant or handling facility will have to execute a joint undertaking with the owner of the plant or handling facility in stamp paper worth ₹ 200/- to the effect that they will be fully responsible for the marine products processed, packed and stored in their premises as per the format prescribed by MPEDA.
  4. When a manufacturer exporter utilizes the surplus capacity of another processing plant, the name and number of the processing plant need not be endorsed on the certificate of registration as an exporter issued to him.  However, the name and number of the manufacturer exporter should be endorsed on the certificates of registration of processing plant or handling facility.

More than one product can be permitted in the same certificate for export, provided approved facilities as required are present. Hence separate certificates need not be issued for different items.  However, an endorsement affecting the name of additional product permitted for export will be done on the certificate of registration.

In case an owner does not wish to process/handle and export from his processing plant or handling facility he may be allowed to take an exporter in his place.  But the owner should surrender the certificate of registration as an exporter for cancellation unless he owns or operates (on lease) another plant or handling facility. 

In the case of sale or lease of a processing plant or handling facility, the certificate of registration as an exporter issued to the owner shall be surrendered and cancelled.   

When a manufacturer exporter surrenders his processing entitlement in his own plant and utilizes surplus capacity of another processing plant, he shall become a merchant exporter. The exporter registration certificate issued to him as manufacturer exporter shall be surrendered and cancelled. A new certificate as a merchant exporter shall be issued to the firm, subject to fulfillment of all the requirements as per guidelines dated 23.7.2004 & 27.6.2005 and amended thereafter. 

However, submission of bank guarantee can be waived in this case subject to the following conditions:-

  1. Prior to applying for registration as merchant exporter, the applicant should have exported marine products, processed their own processing plant, for a minimum period of 10 years as manufacturer exporter.
  2. There should not be any trade/quality dispute remaining unsettled in the case of the above manufacturer exporter.
  3. The application for registration as merchant exporter should have been submitted within three months of discontinuing the operation as manufacturer exporter.
  4. Manufacturer exporters who operated from leased plant will not be eligible.

When a Merchant exporter becomes a manufacturer exporter by purchase / lease of a processing plant, Bank guarantee furnished, if any, shall be released. 

In this case the manufacturer/merchant exporter may be issued with another certificate of registration “Route through Merchant Exporter”.  

An exporter who is eligible to export an item not mentioned in the exporter certificate shall surrender the certificate issued to him in case he wants to add a new item. RO may endorse the new items permitted to export indicating also the date from which the exporter is permitted to export the item or items newly added. 

If the certificate is lost, the holder will apply for a duplicate certificate to the Registering Office concerned explaining the circumstances under which the certificate was lost and also advertise in a local newspaper, the fact that the registration certificate has been lost and that anyone finding the same should return it to the MPEDA. If no response is received within 15 days, a duplicate can be issued in the certificate form which will not be numbered. A fee of ₹ 5,000/- may be levied.

The duplicate may be superscribed as “Issued in lieu of Certificate No…………….. date ……………….. reported lost and irrecoverable”

“Where the Secretary or other officer is satisfied that any person has obtained a certificate of registration by furnishing incorrect information or that he has contravened any of the provisions of this rule or of the conditions mentioned in the certificate of registration, or any person who has been registered as an exporter fails during the period of 12 consecutive months to export any of the marine products in respect of which he is registered, or if the Secretary or other officer is satisfied that such person has become disqualified to continue as an exporter, the Secretary or such officer may after giving the person who holds a certificate a reasonable opportunity of making his objections by order, cancel the registration and communicate  to him a copy of such order.”

If registration is cancelled for malpractice, the same exporter should not be given fresh registration for a period of 3 years.  If the registration is cancelled for any other reason, fresh registration should not be granted for a period of one year. However, in case of manufacturer exporter, the registration shall not be restored before six months in all cases. 

Any person aggrieved by an order of cancellation under Rule 43 may within thirty days of the date of receipt by him of the copy of the order, appeal to the Chairman who may affirm, amend or set aside such order, under Rule 44 of the MPEDA Rules

FISHING VESSEL

Section 3 (g) :      “Fishing Vessel” means a ship or boat fitted with  mechanical  means of propulsion which is exclusively engaged in sea-  fishing for profit.

Country crafts fitted with outboard engines are not to be registered with the Authority. 

In the case of fishing vessels where the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location/base of operation of the fishing vessel, the Registering Offices will be as indicated below:-

Units to be registeredRegistering Office
  1. Fishing vessel of overall length 17.5 Mtr and aboveOffice having jurisdiction over the location of the ‘home base’ declared in the application
2.  Fishing vessel of overall length less than 17.5 MtrOffice having jurisdiction over the location of the ‘address’ of the applicant

The application form (Form-I) duly filled should be submitted to the concerned Regional Office along with the following documents: 

    1. Layout of the fishing vessel
    2. Declaration in stamp paper of ₹ 200/- to the effect that the owner has complied with the standards laid down by the MPEDA, agrees to abide by such revised standards as may be issued from time to time by the MPEDA.
    3. Copy of vessel registration issued by Port Authority/State Fisheries.
    4. Identity of address proof & photo   
    5. MMD certificate and LOP in case of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels.

On receipt of the application, the field office of MPEDA will check the entries, receipt of fees, signature, enclosures etc.

a. If any defect is noticed, the application must be returned mentioning the reason for return and the parties may be asked to resubmit the application after rectifying the defects.

b. If there are no defects the field office may depute their own field staff for inspection of the vessel or verify through anyone of the following sources, viz. reports from financing institutions, ports registration details, state fisheries departments etc.

An application may be refused if the vessel does not conform to the standards or vessels are not available for inspection by the field staff of MPEDA.  In such cases, the applicant should be given notice including a statement of defects and instructed to rectify the defects within a specified period failing which the application will be refused. 

Inspection of fishing vessels shall be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Technical Assistant. 

  1. The certificate is issued in Form V and has to be revalidated every 2 years.
  2. Fishing vessels of OAL 42 ft and above is registered with an endorsement “Not permitted to operate in the territorial waters of Kerala”.
  3. While issuing certificate to fishing vessels having processing/storage facilities on board, the abbreviation “FVPS” is incorporated in the certificate of registration.
  4. While registering fishing vessel having facilities for processing and storage, instead of issuing separate registration to the processing unit and storage onboard, an endorsement is made in the registration certificate. 

The following procedure is adopted in cases where there is a change of ownership in respect of fishing vessels:-

  1. No new certificate is issued.  An endorsement is made in the existing certificate after collecting the prescribed fee.
  2. The new owner has to submit a fresh application form, declaration and documentary proof of change of ownership (no other document such as layout or NOC from local body etc is required).
  3. If there is note of hypothecation/lien in the certificate, the opinion of the concerned bank has to be obtained before endorsing the change of ownership.
  4. If the hypothecation / lien is changed to another branch or bank and if the new branch / bank desires to have the hypothecation noted in that case a fresh form prescribed for noting hypothecation signed by the authorized signatory of the new bank / branch has to be submitted along with a copy of the hypothecation deed.
  1. Fish holds including linings, pen boards, shelving etc shall be designed and constructed in such a way that they can be easily cleaned and disinfected between trips.
  2. Surfaces shall be of non-corrosive materials and shall be smooth, hard, and impervious to water and free from cracks and crevices.
  3. All surfaces in the fishing boats that come in contact with fish shall be kept clean.
  4. Adequate arrangements shall be provided for cleaning the deck.  Hoses/buckets should be provided for this purpose.
  5. Provision shall be made on the vessel for the proper storage of oils or any other substances of materials such a nature that may contaminate or taint the fish and all fish shall be protected from such contamination.
  6. Fishing vessels shall have adequate arrangements to carry ice.
  7. Fishing vessels shall have adequate communication facilities and fishermen safety equipments such as life buoys / life jackets.

STORAGE PREMISES

Storage may be deemed to be the premises where marine products, either frozen, canned or dried are stored for commercial purposes.

In the case of storage premises   where the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location/base of operation of the storage premises, the Registering Office will be the office having jurisdiction over the location of the storage premises.

The application in duplicate shall be submitted to the concerned Regional / SRD’s, Trade Promotion Office having jurisdiction over the location of Storage Premises irrespective of location of Registered / HO with Registration fee and other enclosures.

Enclosures:

  1. Detailed layout of the storage premises.
  2. Details of machinery, if any
  3. Site plan
  4. Permission from the local body to run such storage.

The capacity of the cold (frozen) storage is calculated as per the following calculation:

Length x Breadth x Height

               3

As far as issue of registration certificate to the dried fish storage is concerned, the formula evolved to decide the hold capacity of a dried fish storage ie., 9.255 Cu.M = 1 MT (subject to a ceiling on stackable height at 3m) may be followed. 

Location and design

  1. The storage premises should have easy access from roads / water ways.
  2. The floor shall be smooth and so sloped that water can run freely into the drain.
  3. The ceiling must be properly insulated.
  4. Floor-wall joints shall be rounded so as to facilitate cleaning.
  5. Walls shall be cemented / tiled / panelled and well polished to a height of at least four feet from the floor.  Walls of cold storages must be properly insulated preferably 6” thick.
  6. No material shall be stored on the floor.
  7. There shall also be air space between ceiling and the stacking, preferably 6” to 8”.
  8. There shall be air space between walls and materials stored preferably 6” to 8”.

Rodent Control Measures:

  1. The storage premises shall be rodent proof.
  2. All doors, windows and openings shall be fitted with fly proof nets and sun rays shall not be permitted to get in.

Light arrangements:

The storages must be properly lit.  Proper Alarm Switch must be provided near the entrance door.

Lavatory facilities:

  1. All lavatories shall have self closing doors and there should not be any direct entrance from the store to the lavatory.

CONVEYANCE

“Conveyance” includes a carrier vessel or a Vehicle under section 3(c) of the MPEDA Act, 1972. 

The office having jurisdiction over the location of address as given in the registration certificate issued by the Local Transport Authority shall be the registering office. 

The duly filled application may be submitted online to the concerned Registering Office under whose jurisdiction the address as given in the registration certificate issued by the local Transport Authority is indicated, along with a fee of ₹ 1,500 and other documents like layout, insurance details, copy of the R.C Book etc. The field staff is deputed to inspect the vehicle as regards the details given in the standards for registration. 

  1. Conveyances shall be maintained in good condition and regular checks shall be made of the thermal efficiency of insulated or refrigerated carriers.
  2. All conveyances used in the transport of fish and fish products shall be so constructed as to be easily cleaned.
  3. Material used for lining the storage cabin shall be of metal or other material impervious to water.
  4. The floor of the storage cabin of the vehicle shall be constructed of durable material impervious to water.
  5. All corners of the storage cabin shall be rounded to facilitate easy cleaning.
  6. Sufficient air space must be provided between stacks to facilitate air circulation.
  7. Insulated containers and vehicles equipped with refrigeration equipments shall be pre-cooled before loading starts.
  8. All interior surfaces of vehicles shall be clean and free from objectionable odors before loading fish or fish products.
  9. Frozen fish and fish products shall be loaded in a refrigerated transport in a manner that provides for the free circulation of air at the top, bottom and sides of the load.  A minimum air space of 75 mm from the top, 25 mm from the floor, and 12.5mm from each of the sides shall be provided.
  10. All items of equipment, receptacles and containers coming in contact with fish and fish products shall be washed and scrubbed daily with clean and suitable detergent.  After cleaning with detergents all surfaces of carrying compartment of the conveyances and equipment shall be rinsed with clean fresh water.
  11. Both before and after the transport of fish, fish containers and the carrying compartment of conveyances shall be washed, and their floors scrubbed with water and suitable detergent and rinsed with clean fresh water.  Conveyances used for the transport of frozen fish shall be kept clean.
  12. During any interval between loading and unloading operations, mechanical refrigeration equipment shall be turned on and kept in operation and the doors of containers and vehicles shall be kept closed.

PRE PROCESSING CENTRE/ PEELING SHED

Pre-Processing plant / Peeling shed is a building constructed as per the standards laid down by the MPEDA where the marine products are peeled or otherwise subjected to pre-processing. 

For purposes of deciding the jurisdiction of the Registering Office, the location of the head office/registered office of the applicant firm is the deciding factor.  However, in the case of pre-processing centre /peeling sheds where the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location/base of operation of the pre-processing centre / peeling shed, the Registering Office will be the office having jurisdiction over the location of the pre-processing centre /peeling shed.

  1. Layout
  2. Declaration
  3. Permission from the local body
  4. Certified copy of title deed
  5. In case of lessee, the lease deed must be produced
  6. Consent from Pollution Control Board.

Registration certificate is issued in Form VI(a); the formula evolved by CIFT is followed in determining the processing capacity of the peeling sheds ie.,

 

Floor area Sq.M x 40 kgs     

            1.1Sq.M            

which will indicate the processing capacity in kgs.

  1. Immediate approaches of the PPCs shall be concreted or tarred or turfed upto 8 metres in front of the entry.
  2. The pre-processing centres shall be housed in a building of permanent nature affording sufficient protection from normal climatic hazards like wind blown dust and shall be of sufficient size for work to be carried out under adequate hygienic conditions. Their design and layout shall be such as to preclude contamination of the product. Clean and contaminated parts of the building shall be properly separated.
  3. The food handling areas shall be completely separated from the area used for residential purpose.
  4. The pre-processing of products shall be in such a way as to facilitate the smooth and orderly flow of work to prevent possible cross contamination.
  5. There should be adequate natural or artificial lighting. The bulb and tubes should have protected covering.
  6. There shall be adequate facilities for natural or mechanical ventilation system to provide fresh air. Ventilation openings, if any, shall be provided with fly proofing arrangements.
  7. The pre-processing areas including the raw material receiving area shall be provided with effective fly-proofing arrangements. Suitable steps shall also be taken to prevent the entry of insects, rodents, birds and animals into pre-processing area. The preventive and control systems shall be depicted in appropriate diagram which shall be a permanent document of the unit available for inspection
  8. There shall be a raised platform where the raw material is unloaded before being taken to the raw material receiving area. The sides and top of this platform shall be sufficiently protected from extraneous contamination. Raised plat form shall be provided for loading finished products.  Receiving area and loading area shall be separated adequately.
  9. The inner side of the walls of the food handling area shall be of smooth surface, which are washable up to 1 meter from the floor.
  10. Walls up to 1.5m from floor shall be free from projection except in the case of structural pillars.
  11. Wall to wall and wall to floor junctions shall be either rounded off or be such as to facilitate proper cleaning.
  12. Ceiling shall be free from cracks and open joints and shall be smooth waterproof, light coloured and easy to clean.
  13. All doors and windows shall be durable and made of corrosion resistant materials and shall be of self-closing type and easy to clean with fly proofing arrangements.
  14. All windows sills shall be sloping inwards.
  15. All entry points into the pre-processing area shall be provided with feet washing pit of min 1.3 X 1.3 X 0.05m. The pit shall be provided with potable water and disinfectant. The stagnant water shall be changed at frequent intervals to avoid cross contamination from the stagnant water. Less width of feet dip can be acceptable as long as this width does not make it possible for the workers to jump over.
  16. All out ward openings shall be fitted with air curtains to prevent entry of dust and other insects.
  17. All entry points into the pre-processing area shall be provided with adequate facilities for cleaning and disinfecting hands.
  18. Instruments and working equipments such as tables, containers, conveyor belts, knives and other utensils used shall be of smooth corrosion resistant materials, easy to clean and disinfect.
  19. Utensils used for inedible or contaminated materials shall be identified by specific mark or colour or shade and shall not be used for handling edible products. Adequate waste receptacles shall be provided for frequent removal of waste from the working areas.
  20. Appropriate facilities in the form of bins should be provided where balance raw material or pre-processed material can be stored with ice. These containers should have arrangements for continuous drainage of water during use.
    1. The floor of the chill room shall be waterproof, easy to clean and disinfect and laid down in such a manner as to facilitate the drainage of water or shall be provided with equipment to remove water.
    2. Walls shall be smooth surface and shall be durable, impermeable and easy to clean.
    3. Ceiling or roof linings shall be easy to clean.
    4. Doors shall be of durable materials and easy to clean
    5. There shall be adequate lighting.
    6. The idle temperature of the chill room shall be up to 0 Degree to 5 Degree C.
    7. The chill room shall be maintained in good hygienic condition.
  21. Facilities for adequate supplies of water (IS 4251) municipal supplied / or approved drinking water or alternatively clean seawater or seawater treated by an appropriate system, under pressure and in sufficient quantity shall be provided.
  22. There should be adequate facilities to wash the pre-processed material.
  23. Arrangements for wastewater disposal shall be provided to eliminate contamination of products.
  24. Facilities to provide sufficient quantities of good quality ice manufactured from water meeting the requirements of Municipal / Local Bodies / IS 4251 or procured from approved ice plants.
  25. A change room /rest room shall be provided where workers will be able to change cloths and / or put on aprons, caps etc and to take rest at intervals to reduce entry of outside contaminants to the pre-processing areas. The lavatories if provided shall not open directly on to the working areas.
  26. Peeling process should be carried out on table top, the surface of which should be smooth and easy to clean.
  27. Raw material and finished product shall be transported in clean covered and sanitized means of transport.
  28. Raw material of exotic shrimp species peeled in the processing plant / pre-processing centre /handling centre shall be from a farm registered with Coastal Aquaculture Authority / State Department of Fisheries and the plant / centre shall maintain all documents to ensure 100% traceability.

ESTABLISHMENT FOR HANDLING DRIED/ SALTED MARINE PRODUCTS 

In case the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location/base of operation of the establishment / handling centre, the registering office will be the office having the jurisdiction over the location of the establishment/ handling centre.

The application form in duplicate duly filled in will have to be submitted to the concerned registering office along with prescribed fee and enclosures.

The documents required along with the applications are:

  1. Plant lay-out
  2. Declaration
  3. Permission from the Local body to run such processing unit.
  4. Certified copy of Title deed.
  5. Clearance certificate from Pollution Control Board, other documents, if any, as required  by the registering
  6. Names & addresses of owners / Partners / Directors /Trustees etc. (documentary evidence in support of ownership).
  7. List of machinery, if any.

     

Registration of establishment for handling dried / salted marine products will be subject to the following norms:

  1. Salting operations take place in different premises and   sufficiently removed from the premises where other operations are carried out.
  2. There shall be facilities for weighing, cemented tanks / corrosion resistant utensils for washing and racks for draining out water from the surface of fish.
  3. Table for dressing of fish be provided. After dressing the fish, it shall be properly washed. For draining out excess water from the washed fish, a table with a top of non-corrosive expanded mesh with holes shall be provided.
  4. Salt used in the treatment of fish products shall be clean and stored in such a way that contamination is precluded. Left out portion, if any, of the salt shall not be reused.
  5. Any container used for salting or brining shall be of such type that precludes any contamination during the salting or brining process.
  6. Containers or areas used for salting or brining shall be cleaned before use.
  7. The fish shall be individually salted properly on the flesh side and arranged in curing vats. The vats shall be kept on raised platform to avoid direct contact with floor and permit proper cleaning of the floor. 
  8. Drying:- Any of the following methods shall be used for  drying.

   (a) Sun Drying : –

    1. The fish shall be dried in open sunlight in a clean place but away from pollution and traffic.
    2. Small fish may not be eviscerated. Large fish shall be eviscerated and washed before drying in an approved place. 
    3. Potable water shall be used for washing.
    4. Any area with cemented or blacktopped place shall be used for drying the fish on the scaffolds. Utilization of cemented grounds for other purposes, and also washing and cleaning of fish under scaffolds are forbidden.
    5. While hanging of fish on scaffolds, the lower rows shall be placed at the height of not less than 0.8 meter from the ground.

(b) Artificial Drying :

  1. Walls and ceiling of closed rooms that are intended for dry curing of fish in artificial conditions shall be smooth and subjected easily to sanitary treatment.
  2. The chambers intended for dry curing of fish in artificial condition shall be equipped with measuring apparatus of distance type.     

(c) Building and facilities :

  1. The packing establishment shall be housed in a building of permanent nature affording sufficient protection from normal climatic hazards. The design and layout shall be such as to preclude contamination of the product.
  2. The food handling areas shall be completely separated from the area used for residential purpose.
  3. There shall be adequate natural or artificial lighting (110 – 220 Lux)
  4. There shall be adequate ventilation.
  5. The packing area shall be provided with effective fly proofing and measures to prevent entry of insects, rodents, birds and animals.
  6. The floor, walls, and ceiling of the rooms shall be smooth and subjected to sanitary treatment.
  7. All entry points shall be provided with feet washing and hand washing facilities.
  8. Instruments and utensils shall be of corrosion resistant material, easy to clean and disinfect.
  9. Adequate waste receptacles shall be provided for frequent removal of waste from the working area. The separation of dressed fish and evisceration wastes shall be rapid.
  10. Change rooms shall be provided for workers. Staff shall wear suitable clean working clothes and headgears.
  11. Adequate separate toilet facilities shall be provided for male and female workers.
  12. Detergents and disinfectants shall be kept in such a way to prevent adverse effects on the equipment or products.
  13. Packing shall be carried out under satisfactory conditions of hygiene to preclude contamination of the fishery products.
  14. The packaging shall be adequate to protect it from ravages of weather during transport as well as damages due to handling. 
  1. In case any change in the layout, design or capacity is required, the owner should get it approved by the Authority.
  2. The owner should comply with the regulations or any other instructions in respect of packing, preservation and export of the dried / salted fish, issued by the Authority, from time to time.
  3. The owner should use only the approved preservatives/additives, if any required , while packaging the products.
  4. No chemical, detergent or repellant should be kept or stored in the packing area of this establishment.
  5. This establishment and its premises should be kept neat and tidy, sanitarily and hygienically.
  6. The owner should maintain this establishment always conforming to the standards prescribed or adopted by the Authority.
  7. The owner should maintain a day-to-day account in register showing the quantity of dried / salted fish received, handled, packed and exported and the register should be made available for inspection by officers of MPEDA on demand.
  8. A copy of this certificate should be prominently displayed in the establishment.
  9. The owner should get this certificate of registration revalidated every two years.
  10. The transferee should get the change of ownership endorsed in this certificate, in case the ownership is transferred.
  11. Raw material of exotic shrimp species processed in the processing plant / pre-processing centre /handling centre shall be from a farm registered with Coastal Aquaculture Authority / State Fisheries Department and the plant / centre shall maintain all documents to ensure 100% traceability.

As the Pollution Control Board (PCB) is not issuing clearance certificate for Dried Fish Handling centers stating that the packing of dried fish is not recognized as processing and therefore it does not come under their purview. However, the PCB clearance is a mandatory requirement as per the Registration manual of MPEDA. In view of the difficulties being faced by the prospective Dried Fish exporters who have invested in the Handling Centers and awaiting approval of MPEDA registration for commencing their business/export and also to ensure ease of doing business, all RDs/SRDs are advised to register the Dry Fish Handling Centers subject  to the following terms and conditions;

  1. The application for registration of Dried Fish Handling Centers shall be accompanied with the approval of the concerned Local Body and all other  documents  and shall fulfill all other requirements as prescribed in the relevant rules and guidelines except only for the PCB clearance.
  2. The applicant may be asked to submit a copy of the application submitted to the PCB for the relevant clearance and also the copy of receipt of applicable fee from the PCB.
  3. The applicant may also submit an undertaking that he/she shall submit the PCB clearance in respect of the handling facility immediately on its receipt.
  4. The MPEDA registration will be treated as invalid in the event of rejection of the relevant application for clearance by the concerned PCB. This shall be printed in the covering letter as the first condition of registration.

FRESH/CHILLED FISH HANDLING CENTRE

In case the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location/base of operation of the establishment/handling centre, the registering office will be the office having the jurisdiction over the location of the handling centre.

The application form in duplicate duly filled in will have to be submitted to the concerned Registering office along with prescribed fee and enclosures.

The documents required along with the applications are :

  1. Lay-out of establishment.
  2. Declaration
  3. Permission from the local body to run such handling centre.
  4. Certified copy of title deed.
  5. Clearance certificate from Pollution Control Board, other   documents if any as required by the registering authority.
  6. Names & addresses of owners / Partners / Director / Trustees etc.   (documentary evidence in support of ownership).
  7. List of machinery.

I.    Registration of Fresh / Chilled fish handling centre will be subject to the following norms : –

 

1)    The units shall have qualified and competent technologist duly approved by Export Inspection Council by arranging Inter Departmental Panel (IDP) for conducting quality checks of the consignments before shipment. Only the technologist shall be authorized to issue / sign certificate of export.

2)    The unit shall have sufficient number of workers to receive and handle the product hygienically without delay to avoid time / temperature abuse.

3)    The unit shall, in addition to quality records, also maintain records for raw material control, production and packing control supported by documents for traceability of product.

4)    The inspection and monitoring of establishments, shall be carried out regularly by the technical personnel of the competent authority who shall at all times have free access to all parts of such establishments and to the records pertaining to adherence to the requirements of the relevant notification.

II. General conditions related to premises, building and equipments.

  1. The handling establishment(s) shall be housed in a building of permanent nature affording sufficient protection from normal climatic hazards like windblown dust and rain and shall be of sufficient size for work to be carried out under adequate hygienic conditions. Their design and layout shall be such as to preclude contamination of product. Clean and contaminated parts of the building shall be properly separated.
  2. Separate storage facilities for packing material such as Styrofoam boxes, plastic sheets etc. shall be provided so that the same can be protected from possible hazards.
  3. The handling areas shall be completely separated from the area used for residential purpose.
  4. The layout of different sections viz. raw material receiving section, cleaning and washing section, icing section, packing section etc shall be such as to facilitate the smooth and orderly flow of work to prevent possible cross contamination.
  5. There shall be adequate natural and / or artificial lighting.
  6. There shall be sufficient ventilation with adequate fly proof / pest control  arrangements.
  7. There shall be a chill room / ice store maintaining a temperature between 0 degree C to 5 degree C. In the absence of a chill room alternate arrangements such as adequate number of insulated boxes or containers should be made.
  8. If chill room is provided, it shall satisfy the following requirements.

a. flooring shall be waterproof and easy to clean.

b. Wall shall have smooth surface and shall be durable, impermeable and easy to clean, washable upto 1 meter from the floor.

c. Ceiling or roof linings shall be easy to clean.

d. Door shall be of durable material, fitted with automatic door closer and easy to clean.

e. There shall be adequate lighting.

f. The chill room shall be maintained in good hygienic conditions.

g. There shall be adequate drainage facilities for melt water to flow out.

9. There shall be provisions for changing the dress, gum boots, headgears etc. before entering the work room.

10. Wash basins with non-hand operated taps and liquid soap shall be provided at the entrance (one for 20 workers)

11. All the windows and doors opening to the outside shall be provided with fly proofing arrangements.

12. Suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the entry of insects, birds, rodents and animals into the premises and handling areas.

13. The floor of the food handling area shall be waterproof, easy to clean and disinfect and laid down in such a way as to facilitate the drainage of water easily or provided with equipment to remove water. There shall be no water stagnation on the floor.

14. The internal wall of the handling areas shall be durable and have smooth surface which is easy to clean and impermeable, waterproof and light coloured.

15. The ceiling shall be free from cracks and open joints and shall be smooth, waterproof, light coloured and easy to clean.

16. The entry point into the handling areas shall be provided with feet washing pit of suitable size. The pit shall be provided with potable water and disinfectant. The stagnant water shall be changed at frequent intervals.

17. Sorting and grading of fish shall be done on top of tables. Table tops being a food contact surface needs to be of smooth, corrosion resistant and non-toxic materials, easy to clean and disinfect.

18. Gutting and dressing of fish shall be done on separate tables.

19. Instruments and working equipment shall be of smooth corrosion resistant and non-toxic materials, easy to clean and disinfect.

20. Utensils used for inedible or contaminating products shall be suitably identified with identifiable mark, shape or colour and shall not be used for handling edible products.

21. The standard for water and ice to be used for processing shall be as per IS 4251 (except radiology requirement). Potability certificate of water and ice as per the IS norms shall be provided at the time of approval. The establishments shall test water and ice for microbiological parameters. Facilities for sufficient supply of water and ice shall be available.

22. Facilities shall be provided for easy disposal of waste water without cross contaminating the products handled.

23. Ice shall be made from potable water.

24. Ice crusher made of non-corrosive metal shall be provided.

III. General conditions of Hygiene

A. General conditions of hygiene applicable to premises and equipment

a. Floors, walls and partitions, ceilings or roof linings, equipment and instrument used for working on fishery products must be kept in a satisfactory state of cleanliness and repair, so that they do not constitute a source of contamination for the products.

b. Rodents, insects and any other vermin must be systematically exterminated from the premises and from the equipments.

B. General conditions of hygiene applicable to staff.

a. The highest possible standard of cleanliness is required of staff. They shall wear suitable clean working clothes and headgear which completely encloses the hair. This applies particularly to persons handling exposed fishery products.

b. Staff assigned to the handling and preparation of fishery products shall be required to wash their hands, at least each time work is resumed.

c. Worker(s) having laceration on the hand shall not be allowed in the fish handling areas.

d. Smoking, spitting, eating and drinking in work premises of fishery products shall be prohibited.

e. The employer shall take all the requisite measures to prevent the persons liable to contaminate fishery products from working on and handling them, until there is evidence that such persons can do so without risk. When recruited, any person working on and handling fishery products shall be required to prove, by a medical certificate that there is no impediment to such employment. The medical supervision of such a person shall be governed by the national legislation in force. 

  1. In case any change in the layout, design or capacity is required, the owner should get it approved by the Authority.
  2. The owner should comply with the regulations or any other instructions in respect of handling, preservation and packing of marine products issued by the Authority, from time to time.
  3. The owner should use only the approved preservatives, if any required, while packing the products.
  4. No chemical, detergent or repellant should be kept or stored in the handling area of this unit.
  5. This handling centre and its premises should be kept neat and tidy, sanitarily and hygienically.
  6. The owner should maintain the handling centre always conforming to the standards prescribed or adopted by the Authority.
  7. The owner should maintain a day-to-day account in register showing the quantity of fresh / chilled fish received, handled, packed and exported and the register should be made available for inspection by officers of the Authority.
  8. A copy of this certificate should be prominently displayed in the handling centre.
  9. The owner should get this certificate of registration revalidated every two years.
  10. The transferee should get the change of ownership endorsed in this certificate, in case the ownership is transferred.
  11. Raw material of exotic shrimp species processed in the processing plant / pre-processing centre /handling centre shall be from a farm registered with Coastal Aquaculture Authority / State Fisheries Department and the plant / centre shall maintain all documents to ensure 100% traceability.
  1. The PCB clearance is mandatory for registration of Handling Centers and Processing Plants as per the registration manual of MPEDA. In view of the difficulties being faced by the prospective Live Fish exporters and Chilled Fish Exporters who have invested in  handling  centres  and  waiting approval of MPEDA registration  for commencing  their  business/export and also to ensure ease  of doing business, all RDs/SRDs are advised to register the live  fish  handling  centres  and Chilled Fish Handling Centres subject to the following conditions:
  2. The application of registration of live fish handling centre and Chilled Fish Handling  Centre shall be accompanied with the approval of the concerned  Local  Body  and  all  other documents and shall fulfill all other requirements as prescribed in the relevant rules and guidelines except only for the PCB
  3. The applicant may be asked to submit a copy of the application submitted to the PCB for the relevant clearance and also the copy of the receipt of applicable fee from the PCB.
  4. The applicant may also submit an undertaking that he/she shall submit the PCB clearance in respect of the handling facility immediately on its
  5. The MPEDA registration will be treated as invalid in the event of rejection of the relevant application for clearance by the concerned PCB. This information shall be printed in the covering letter as the first condition of registration certificate

LIVE FISH HANDLING CENTRE

In case the registered office of the applicant is located in a place which is different from the actual location/base of operation of the establishment/handling centre, the registering office will be the office having the jurisdiction over the location of the handling centre.

The application form in duplicate duly filled in will have to be submitted to the concerned Registering office along with prescribed fee and enclosures.

The documents required along with the applications are:

(a) Lay-out of establishment.

(b) Declaration

(c) Permission from the local body to run such handling centre.

(d) Certified copy of title deed.

(e) Clearance certificate from Pollution Control Board, other     documents if any as required by the registering authority.

(f) Names & addresses of owners / Partners / Director / Trustees etc. (Documentary evidence in support of ownership).

(g) List of machinery, if any used.

        Requirements during and after landing 

a. Unloading and landing equipment shall be constructed of material which is easy to clean and disinfect, and shall be kept in a good state of repair and cleanliness.

b. During unloading and landing, contamination of the live fish shall be avoided. It shall, in particular be ensured that,

i. unloading and landing operations proceed rapidly

ii. ‘live fish’ are placed without unnecessary delay in a protected environment at a temperature required on the basis of the nature of item and where necessary in ice, during transport, storage or in an establishment

iii. equipment and handling practices that cause unnecessary damage to the live fish, are not used

c. Parts of auction or wholesale markets where live fish are displayed for sale shall:-

i. be covered and have walls, which are easy to clean;

ii. be equipped with sanitary facilities with an appropriate number of wash basins and flush lavatories. Wash basins shall be supplied with materials for cleaning the hands and single use hand towels;

iii. have water proof flooring, which is easy to wash and disinfect, and laid in such a way as to facilitate the drainage of water and have a hygienic waste water disposal system;

iv. be well lit to facilitate the inspection of live fish

v. not be used for other purposes; vehicle emitting exhaust fumes which may impair the quality of the live fish shall not be admitted to markets; undesirable animals shall not be admitted.

vi. be cleaned regularly and at least after each sale; container shall after each sale, be cleaned and rinsed inside and outside with potable water or clean seawater, where required, they shall be disinfected;

vii. have displayed in a prominent position signs prohibiting smoking, spitting, eating and drinking

viii. have facilities to provide adequate water supplies

ix. have special watertight receptacles made of corrosion resistant materials for live fish which are unfit for human consumption.

d. After landing, where appropriate, live fish shall be transported without delay at a proper temperature.

e. The general conditions of hygiene laid down in Annexure-45 (Page 237) Paragraph-II with the exception of point 9.7. (2) 2.1. shall apply mutatis mutandis to the markets in which ‘live fish’ are displayed for sale.

f. The whole sale markets in which live fish are displayed for sale shall be subject to the same conditions as those laid down in paragraph 3 and 5 above and to those set out in paragraph 1 of Annexure-45 (Page 237).

g. The general conditions of hygiene laid down in Annexure-45 (Page 237), Paragraph-2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to wholesale markets.

General conditions relating to premises, building andequipment

(1)   Premises and building: –  

a. The immediate approaches of the handling areas shall be concreted or tarred or turfed to prevent windblown dust.

b. The establishment shall be housed in a building of permanent nature affording sufficient protection from normal climatic hazards like windblown dust and rain and shall be of sufficient size for work to be carried out under adequate hygiene conditions. Their design and layout shall be such as to preclude contamination of the live fishes. Clean and contaminated parts of the building shall be properly separated.

c. The food handling areas shall be completely separated from the area used for residential purpose.

d. The layout of different sections shall be in such a way as to facilitate the smooth and orderly flow of work to prevent possible cross contamination.

e. There shall be adequate natural or artificial lighting. The bulbs and tubes shall have protective covering.

f. There shall be adequate facilities for natural or mechanical ventilation system to provide fresh air. Ventilation opening shall be provided with fly proofing arrangements.

 (2)   Fly-Proofing vermin and animal control: –

2.1.   The areas including the live fish receiving and storing area shall be provided with effective fly-proofing arrangements. Suitable steps shall also be taken to prevent the entry of insects, rodents, birds and animals into the handling area.

(3)    Receiving area: –

3.1.   There shall be adequate facility sufficiently protected from extraneous contamination to unload the live fish before being taken to the receiving area.

3.2.   The area in which the live fish is received and stored shall be so separated from the area in which the item is packed for export so as to eliminate contamination.

(4)    Ceiling, wall and floor of work rooms: –

4.1.   The floor of the live fish handling area shall be water proof, easy to clean and disinfect and laid down in such a way as to facilitate, the drainage of the water easily or provided with equipment to remove water. There shall be no water stagnation on the floor.

4.2.   The internal walls of the handling area shall be durable and have smooth surface which are easy to clean and impermeable, waterproof and light coloured.

4.3.   Walls shall be free from projection and all pipes and cables shall be neatly covered.

4.4.   Wall to wall and wall to floor junctions shall be rounded off to facilitate proper cleaning.

4.5.   Ceiling shall be free from cracks and open joints  be smooth, water proof, light coloured and easy to clean.

4.6     All doors and windows shall be durable and made of corrosion resistant material and shall be of self-closing type and easy to clean with fly proofing arrangements.

4.7. All window sills shall be sloping inwards.

4.8.   All entry point into the handling area shall be provided with feet washing pit of suitable size and the water be changed at frequent intervals.

4.9.   All entry points into the handling area shall be provided with adequate facilities for cleaning and disinfecting hands.

4.10.   Instruments and working equipments such as tables, containers and other utensils used shall be of smooth corrosion resistant materials, easy to clean and disinfect.

4.11.   Utensils used for inedible or contaminated materials shall be identified by specific mark or colour or shape and shall not be used for handling live fish. Adequate waste receptacles shall be provided for frequent removal of waste from the working areas.

 (5)  General conditions of hygiene applicable to premises and equipment : –

5.1       Floors, walls and partitions, ceilings or roof linings, equipments and instruments used for working on live fish shall be of satisfactory state of cleanliness and repair, so that they do not constitute a source of contamination of the item.

5.2       Rodents, insects and any other vermin shall be systematically exterminated in the premises or in the equipments. 

5.3 Rodenticide, insecticides, disinfectants and any other potentially toxic substances shall be stored in premises or cupboards which can be locked and their use shall not present any risk of contamination of the live items.

5.4       Working areas, instruments and working equipment shall be used only for work on live fish. However, on authorization by the Agency, they may be used for work on other foodstuffs also.

5.5       Potable water or clean seawater must be used for all purposes. However, by way of any exception, non potable water may be used for fire fighting, provided that the pipes installed for the purpose preclude the use of such water for other purposes and present no risk of contamination of the products.

5.6       Detergents, disinfectant and similar substances must be approved by the Competent Authority, which shall be stored and used in such a way that they do not have adverse effects on the machinery, equipments and items. 

(6)   General conditions of hygiene applicable to staff: – 

6.1.   The highest possible standard of cleanliness is required of staff. More specifically:

6.2.   Staff shall wear suitable clean working clothes and headgear, which completely encloses the hair. This applies particularly to persons handling live fish.

6.3.   Staff assigned to the handling and packing of live fish shall be required to wash their hand at least each time work is resumed as on the hands shall be covered by a water proof dressing.

6.4.   Smoking, spitting, eating and drinking in the storage handling and packing area shall be prohibited.

6.5.   The employer shall take all the requisite measures to prevent persons liable to contaminate live fishes from working on and handling them until there is evidence that such persons can do so without risk.

When recruited, any person working on and handling live fishes shall be required to prove by a medical certificate that there is no impediment to such employment. The medical supervision of such a person shall be governed by the national legislation in force.

(7)    General health checks of the live items : –

 7.1.   Containers or tanks in which items are stored shall be maintained in good condition.

7.2.   The tank should be provided with mechanical, biological or chemical filtration system to clean the water and remove toxic nitrogen compounds.

7.3.   Devices to maintain proper level of dissolved oxygen may be provided in order not to damage the live fishes stored wherever applicable.

7.4.   Appropriate water circulation or aeration or supplementary oxygen system is to be provided wherever needed.

7.5.   The water temperature is to be adequately controlled especially when live items are for thermal tranquilization.

7.6.   Live fishes, during storage and transport, shall be kept under the most suitable survival conditions.

7.7.   Before the live fish are packed for export, they must be subjected to a visual inspection. These items shall be observed to detect any changed behavior like erratic swimming movement, resting near margins, loss of balance etc. in addition to excessive or lack of mucus secretion, change in normal pigmentation, corrosion of scales, fins, lesions on the body, shedding of claws, physical damages etc as the case may be. It must also be checked for fungi or parasite infestations that are visible. If such symptoms are evident, then the live fish shall be disposed of in such a way that it will not be used for export.

7.8.   Live fish for export must be caught from pollution free aquatic environment. Without prejudice to the rules concerning water protection and management and in particular those concerning pollution of the aquatic environment, the fish must not contain contaminants present in the aquatic environment such as heavy metals and organochlorinated substances at such a level that the calculated dietary intake exceeds the acceptable daily or weekly intake for humans. 

(8)    Packaging and transport: –

8.1 Packing shall be carried out under satisfactory conditions of hygiene to preclude contamination of the live fish. If transported by air, packages should meet the IATA standards.

8.2 Packaging materials liable to enter into contact with live fish shall comply with all the rules of hygiene.

8.3 Before shipping, packages should not be exposed to adverse weather conditions.

8.4 The transport conditions of live fish to be exported shall be such that they do not adversely affect the product. 

  1. In case any change in the layout, design or capacity is required, the owner should get it approved by the Authority.
  2. The owner should comply with the regulations or any other instructions in respect of handling, packing the fishes live and exporting the live fishes, issued by the Authority, from time to time.
  3. The owner should use only the approved feeds / chemicals / additives / medicines, if any required, while handling the live fishes.
  4. No chemical/ repellant / detergent should be kept or stored in the handling area of this premise.
  5. This premise should be kept neat and tidy, sanitarily and hygienically.
  6. The owner should maintain the handling centre always conforming to the standards prescribed or adopted by the Authority.
  7. The owner should maintain a day-to-day account in register showing the volume of live fish handled, packed alive and exported in a shift of 8 hours and the register should be made available for inspection by officers of the MPEDA on demand.
  8. A copy of this certificate should be prominently displayed in the premise.
  9. The owner should get this certificate of registration revalidated every two years.
  10. The transferee should get the change of ownership endorsed in this certificate, in case the ownership is transferred.

Exotic shrimp species meant for live exports shall be from a farm registered with Coastal Aquaculture Authority / State Fisheries Department and the plant / centre shall maintain all documents to ensure 100% traceability.

 

The PCB clearance is mandatory for registration of Handling Centers and Processing Plants as per the registration manual of MPEDA. In view of the difficulties being faced by the prospective Live Fish exporters and Chilled Fish Exporters who have invested in  handling  centres  and  waiting approval of MPEDA registration  for commencing  their  business/export and also to ensure ease  of doing business, all RDs/SRDs are advised to register the live  fish  handling  centres  and Chilled Fish Handling Centres subject to the following conditions:

 

  1. The application of registration of live fish handling centre and Chilled Fish Handling  Centre shall be accompanied with the approval of the concerned  Local  Body  and  all  other documents and shall fulfill all other requirements as prescribed in the relevant rules and guidelines except only for the PCB clearance.

 

  1. The applicant may be asked to submit a copy of the application submitted to the PCB for the relevant clearance and also the copy of the receipt of applicable fee from the PCB.

 

  1. The applicant may also submit an undertaking that he/she shall submit the PCB clearance in respect of the handling facility immediately on its receipt.

 

  1. The MPEDA registration will be treated as invalid in the event of rejection of the relevant application for clearance by the concerned PCB. This information shall be printed in the covering letter as the first condition of registration.

 

* The above mentioned requirements for live fish handling centre are applicable to the export handling centres of ornamental fishes also.

VOLUNTARY SCHEME FOR REGISTRATION OF THE INDEPENDENT/ COMMON ICE PLANTS

“Independent / common ice plant” means an ice plant which is neither integrated nor captive to any processing plant of fish and fishery products, owned and operated independently by any entrepreneur to cater to the common need for sourcing ice by primary-processing centres / processing plants of fish and fishery products.       

 Terms and Conditions : 

  1. This scheme shall apply only to those who voluntarily opt for the registration of his independent/ common ice plant.
  2. The ice plant owner shall abide by each and every provision of this scheme. He shall also abide by all further instructions, if any, issued in relation to the manufacturing of ice, maintenance of the ice plant, filing returns, maintaining quality assurance register of the water used, ice produced and supplied and the details of linkage with the processing plant.
  3. The ice plant owner shall submit to the Registering Officer an undertaking    to the effect that he has opted  this scheme and accepted the terms and conditions mentioned in it, in the format specified in this regard, on a non judicial stamp paper of value ₹200/-.
  4. The independent /common ice plant shall conform to the standards laid down by MPEDA.
  5. Ice shall be produced in the registered independent / common ice plant only from potable water in accordance with the standards prescribed or adopted in this regard (by MPEDA) from time to time. The water used for manufacturing ice and ice produced in the ice plant shall be tested periodically for necessary microbiological parameters and records to that effect shall be kept in the ice plant for verification.
  6. Only those ice plants, which have NOC or permission from the local body, shall be eligible to be registered
  7. The leasing out of the ice plant shall be allowed only for a minimum period of three years and the lessee shall also opt for this scheme. No sub-lease of an independent / common ice plant shall be allowed.
  8. The certificate of registration shall be issued in the name of the ice plant owner.
  9. Any certificate of registration issued under this scheme shall have validity for 2 years only with effect from the date of issue of the certificate of registration, unless it is revalidated every two years.
  10. The ice plant owner shall allow the registering officer or his authorized officer for periodic inspection and physical verification of the ice plant. He shall also maintain a quality assurance register denoting the production, linkage for supply and quality assurance of the water used and ice produced in the ice plant which shall be made available to the registering officer / his deputies on demand. He shall also furnish to the registering officer, quarterly returns of ice produced in his ice plant and supplied to the primary processing centres / processing plants.
  11. In case any change in the layout, design or capacity of the registered ice plant is required; the ice plant owner shall get it approved by the Registering Officer.
  12. In case of transfer of the ice plant by way of sale / mortgage or otherwise, the transferee shall get the change of ownership endorsed on the certificate of registration within one month from the date of the transaction.
  1. Documentary evidence in support of the name and address of the ice plant owner.
  2. NOC or permission from the local body to run the ice plant.
  3. A lay-out of the independent / common ice plant as approved by the local body.
  4. List of machinery.
  5. An undertaking on non-judicial stamp paper worth ₹200/- to the effect that he shall abide by the terms and conditions and all provisions of the scheme.
  6. Copy of the lease agreement, if any.
  7. Copy of Partnership Deed if the applicant is a Partnership firm.
  8. Copy of Articles and Memorandum of Association if the applicant is a company.
  9. Potability certificate of the water used for ice production issued by CIFT / MPEDA / EIA.
  10. Copy of the plumbing diagram

The processing of the application is given below:

  • On receipt of the application, the Registering Officer shall verify the particulars given in the application and its enclosures. If the application is found in order, the Registering Officer shall collect prescribed registration fee and shall take the application on file.
  • If the application is not in order, the same shall be returned to the applicant for rectification of defects and re-submission.
  • The Registering Officer, who has taken the application on file, shall depute an MPEDA official for inspection and physical verification of the independent / common ice plant mentioned in the application and for submission of a verification report in the prescribed format. On physical verification of the ice plant, if any defect / deficiency is noticed, the official deputed for inspection shall notify it in writing to the ice plant owner for rectification of the defect / deficiency within a period stipulated by him.
  • After taking into account, the report of the officer verifying the ice plant, the Registering Officer shall grant registration to the independent / common ice plant. The certificate of Registration is issued in Form No.VI (e) and revalidated every two years.
  • The Registering Officer shall refuse registration to the application pending in his office if the ice plant owner does not rectify the defect / deficiency within the stipulated period.
  • In the case of rejection as per Sl.No.5 above, the Registering Officer shall not refund the fee for application form and for registration remitted by the applicant.

Where the Registering Officer is satisfied that any person has obtained a certificate of registration under sub-clause 5.4 by furnishing incorrect information or he has contravened any of the provisions of this scheme, or any of the conditions incorporated in the certificate of registration, the Registering Officer shall issue a show cause notice to the ice plant owner, stating specific reasons and stipulating a period for the reply of the ice plant owner.

If any ice plant owner aggrieved by the order of cancellation issued to him under sub-clause 8.2, may file an appeal to the Chairman, MPEDA, within one month from the date of receipt of the cancellation order.

The ice plant owner shall allow any officer of MPEDA for periodic inspection and physical verification of the plant. He shall also maintain a quality assurance register denoting the production, linkage for supply and quality assurance of the water used and ice produced in his independent / common ice plant registered under this scheme which shall be made available to the registering officer or any authorized officer or any officer of MPEDA on demand. The ice plant owner shall be bound to furnish to the registering officer, periodic returns of ice produced in his ice plant and supplied to the primary processing centres / processing plants, as and when called upon to do so.

The authority or its officials shall not be held responsible by the ice plant owner for any loss, injury or damage that may arise from operating this scheme or from the use of ice produced in the independent / common ice plant registered under this scheme. By the acceptance of this scheme, the ice plant owner will be deemed to have been indemnified the Authority or its officials from any public claims/damages for any loss, injury or damage that may arise from operating this scheme or from the use of ice produced in the independent / common ice plant registered under this scheme.

In case the ice plant owner violates any of the provisions of this scheme or any of the conditions incorporated in the certificate of registration, it shall be deemed as a violation of his agreement for which a fine of upto ₹10,000/- can be levied by MPEDA. This will be in addition to the cancellation of the certificate of registration, as envisaged in clause 8 of this scheme.

The registration will be subject to the following terms and conditions.

 

  1. The registration of items / products that can be included under the category “OTHER – NON EDIBLE” will be on a case-to-case basis subject to the approval by the Competent Authority.
  2. Registration of the facilities / handling centers to be done manually, and after conducting a physical verification to the unit. The documentation requirements followed for handling centres registered under “OTHER EDIBLE” category will be followed in this case also.
  3. The units will be registered under “OTHER NON EDIBLE” category for the products specified in the MPEDA registration certificate.
  4. The units registered are allowed to manufacture only the specified product(s) supported by the process flow chart, and the registered unit will be monitored by the concerned MPEDA Office periodically (once in 6 months) and reported to HO.
  5. The concerned MPEDA office shall ensure that the unit does not process or produce items / products that are not designated in the registration certificate. Violations warrant de- registration of the unit as per MPEDA Act & Rules.
  6. The units shall submit monthly production details to the concerned MPEDA office on or before 10th of the succeeding month.

 

 

LIST OF FORMS

 

SL. No.

 

 

1

FORM-I     

Application for Registration of Fishing Vessels

2

FORM-II

Application  for Registration of Processing Plant for Marine Products

3

FORM-II (a)

Application for Registration of Peeling Shed for    Marine Products

4

FORM-II w(b) 

Application for Registration of Fresh/Chilled Fish    Handling  Centre

5

FORM-II (c)  

Application for Registration of Premise to Handle Live Fish

6

FORM-II (d)  

Application for Registration of Establishment for Packing of Dried/Salted Marine Products

7

FORM-II(e)

Application for Registration of Independent/Common Ice Plants under the Voluntary Registration Scheme

8

FORM-III  

Form of Application for Registration of Storage   Premises for Marine Products

9

FORM-IV  

Form of Application for Registration of Conveyance  for the Transport of Marine Products

10

FORM-V

Certificate of Registration for Fishing Vessels

11

FORM-VI

Certificate of Registration of Processing Plant

12

FORM-VI (a)

Certificate of Registration of Peeling Shed

13

FORM-VI (b)

Certificate of Registration of Fresh/Chilled Fish  Handling Centre

14

FORM-VI (c)

Certificate of Registration of Premise to Handle Live Fish

15

FORM-VI (d)

Certificate of Registration of Establishment for Packing of Dried/Salted Marine Products

16

FORM-VI (e)

Certificate of Registration of Independent/Common Ice  Plants under the Voluntary Registration Scheme

17

FORM-VII

Certificate of Registration of Storage Premises

18

FORM-VIII

Certificate of Registration of Conveyance

19

FORM-IX

Application for Registration as an Exporter of  Marine    Products  

20

FORM-X

Certificate of Registration as an Exporter 

 

 

 

Fees for Application Form, Registration, Renewal and Endorsements in respect of Exporters and Production entities

 

1.  Application Form

 

1.1.      Fee for each set of application form, except fishing vessels

1.2.      Fee for each set of application form for fishing vessels

1.3.     Fee for application form of Independent/Common Ice Plant 

 

 

₹200

 

₹100

 

₹100

 

 

2.     Fee for Registration

2.1       Exporter

 

 

₹5000

2.2.     Fishing Vessel

(a)Fishing Vessel upto 20 metre Over all Length

(b)Fishing Vessels of OAL 20 metres and above

 

₹500

₹2000

2.3.     Storage

1.   Chilled and Frozen

(a) for storage upto and including 50 tonne capacity

                          (both chilled and frozen)

(b)  For storage above 50 tonne capacity (both chilled  and frozen)

    1. Other than Chilled and Frozen
      1. for storage upto and including 50 tonne capacity
      2. for storage above 50 tonne capacity 

 

 

₹3000

 

 

₹5000

 

 

 

₹1000

 

₹2000

 

2.4.     Processing Plant

(a) for plant with processing capacity to handle upto and including 5 tonne of raw material (per 8 hour shift)

(b) for plant with processing capacity to handle above5 tonne of raw material (per 8 hour shift)

 

₹2500

 

₹5000

 

 

2.5.     Pre-Processing Centre

(a) for pre-processing center with a capacity to handle upto and including 5 tonne of raw material (per 8 hour shift)

1.       for pre-processing center with a capacity to handle above 5 tonne of raw materials (per 8 hour shift)

 

₹1500

 

 

 

₹3000

2.6.     Independent/Common Ice Plant

(a) Fee for registering Ice Plant upto 10 MT/day

(b) Fee for registering Ice Plant above 10 MT day 

 

₹500

₹1000

2.7.     Handling Centre

(i)Fresh/ChilledFish Handling Centre

 

(a) for handling centre with a capacity to handle upto and including  5 tonne of fresh/chilled fish per 8  hour shift 

 

(b) for handling centre with a capacity to handle above 5 tonne of fresh/chilled fish per 8 hour shift 

 

 

 

 ₹ 1500

 

 

 

 ₹3000

(ii)   Live Fish Handling Centre

 for handling centre with a capacity to handle live fish in a volume upto and including 5 M3  per  8 hour shift

a.       for handling centre with a capacity to  handle live fish in a volume above 5 M3 per 8 hour shift

 

 ₹ 1500

 

 

  ₹3000

(iii)  Centre for Packing Dried/SaltedMarine Products 

  1. for handling centre with a capacity to handle upto and including 1 tonne dried/salted marine products per 8 hour shift
  2. for handling centre with a capacity to handle above 1 tonne of dried/salted marine products per 8 hour shift

 

 

 

₹1500

 

 

 ₹3000

2.8.  Conveyances  (per conveyance)

₹1500

  1. Renewal of Registration 

3.1     All renewals except fishing vessels upto 20 metres OAL

3.2     Renewal o fishing vessels upto 20 metres OAL

 

 

₹1000

 

₹250

 

4.           Endorsements

4.1.         Any endorsement on the certificate of registration of a fishing vessel upto 20 metres OAL

 

4.2.         Endorsement of registration of Ice Plant in the certificate of registration of processing plants

 

4.3.         Endorsement of change of ownership of production entities

4.4.         Endorsement of change of any other details included in the certificate of registration, except in respect of a fishing vessel upto 20 metres OAL

4.5.        Endorsement of change of hypothecation/lien noting of financial institutions, except in respect of a fishing vessel upto 20 metres OAL

4.6.         Endorsement of lessee in the certificate of registration of processing plants

4.7.         Endorsement of issue of duplicate certificate of registration, except in respect of a fishing vessel upto 20 metres OAL

4.8.         Endorsement of additional capacity

4.9.         Endorsement of change in the constitution of a firm/company

4.10.      Any other endorsement

 

4.11.      Amendments envisaged in the new guidelines for making and cancelling the endorsement of the processing plant, handling facility etc in the new certificate of registration as an exporter:

(a)Endorsement of utilization of processing plant/handling facility/storage premises etc in the certificate of  registration as a merchant exporter

(b)Endorsement of Merchant/Manufacturer Exporter’s name in the certificate of processing plant/handling facility/storage premises, etc.

(c) Endorsement of premature cancellation of processing agreement with a processing plant/handling facility in the certificate of registration as an exporter

(d)Endorsement of premature cancellation of processing agreement with an exporter in the certificate of processing plant/handling facility

(e)Endorsement of premature cancellation of  storage agreement with an exporter in the certificate of storage premises

(f)   Any other endorsement not covered above in respect of registration 

 

 

₹250

 

 

₹1000

 

 

₹1000

 

 ₹1000

 

 

 ₹1000

 

 

 ₹1000

 

₹1000

 

 

 ₹1000

 ₹1000

 

 ₹1000

 

 

 

 

 

 ₹5000

 

 

  ₹5000

 

 

₹5000

 

 

  ₹5000

 

 

 ₹5000

 

 

 ₹1000