USFDA approves Turtle Excluder Device, paving way to lift US Ban on Wild-Caught Shrimp Imports from India

Kings Infra Ventures Ltd. welcomes the announcement that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), in coordination with NOAA, has approved India's Turtle Excluder Device (TED) for shrimp trawl fisheries. This decision is expected to lift the US ban on wildcaught shrimp imports, which had been imposed in 2021 under Section 609 of the US Endangered Species Act, due to concerns over sea turtle conservation.

The Indian TED was designed and standardized by CIFT, drawing on earlier experimental studies by CMFRI. FSI conducted rigorous field trials on research and commercial vessels, with MPEDA providing coordination, workshops, and technical support. The device is optimized for Indian multi-species trawl nets and tropical marine conditions, with:

- Grid spacing of 10.2 cm (4 inches) for shrimp retention
- Escape hatch angles and dimensions ensuring turtle survival
- Durable, marine-grade materials for tropical waters
- Validated across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha coasts under NOAA technical review

The TED has been scientifically proven to reduce turtle mortality by up to 97%, ensuring compliance with international conservation standards.

Impact on India's Seafood Sector

The approval is a major boost for exporters of traditional small wild-caught shrimp such as Poovalan and Kari Kadi, which have historically been Kerala's signature exports. The Malabar coast, particularly Kollam and Kochi, serves as the primary export hub for these varieties, supported by a highly skilled labor force specialized in peeling and processing small shrimp. Reopening the US market, which accounts for nearly 30% of India's shrimp export value, is expected to:

- Generate ₹1,200-1,500 crore in additional export revenue annually
- Revive small and medium trawler operations and traditional processing hubs.
- Improve livelihoods of thousands of coastal families, especially women who are in the process of peeling these small shrimps.

- Reinforce India's reputation as a sustainable and responsible seafood exporter

Although tariffs remain a dampener in the broader US-India trade relationship, the lifting of the ban introduced in 2021 demonstrates that sustained scientific and institutional efforts can overcome trade challenges, providing a model for resolving other regulatory barriers through collaboration and innovation.

"This is a landmark moment for India's seafood industry," said Mr. Shaji Baby John, Chairman and MD, Kings Infra Ventures Ltd.

"The successful TED design demonstrates the strength of our scientific institutions and Kerala's traditional shrimp expertise. It positions India to regain global leadership in shrimp exports while embracing sustainability."

Next Steps

MPEDA will issue guidelines and training programs to ensure nationwide adoption of TEDs across coastal fisheries, enabling compliance with international export standards.

Shares of Kings Infra Ventures Limited was last trading in BSE at Rs. 158.20 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 160.55. The total number of shares traded during the day was 6223 in over 136 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 163.75 and intraday low of 158.00. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 994964.00.

Source : Equity Bulls

Keywords

KingsInfraVentures INE050N01010 USFDA NOAA TED TurtleExcluderDevice ShrimpTrawlFisheries