Fish stall owners and markets must now adhere to stringent waste management protocols set by government authorities and local bodies.
Published Mar 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Two men hauling a basket of fresh fish to an action for sale that day in Kochi. (iStock)
Synopsis: The Kerala government recently introduced operational guidelines to regulate the collection and processing of fish waste. Despite the state’s robust fisheries sector and the growing concerns over waste management, the state currently lacks data on the amount of fish waste generated.
In Kerala, where fish is not just food but a way of life, a meal often feels incomplete without a steaming plate of fish curry or a crispy fish fry on the side.
The state’s love for seafood is reflected in its thriving fisheries sector, making it the third-largest seafood exporter by quantity and second by export value in India. However, with this high consumption and processing comes an inevitable byproduct — fish waste.
From heads and bones to scales and innards, the sheer volume of discarded fish parts is enormous.
Yet, in a state that prides itself on its seafood culture, there is no clear answer to a crucial question: Exactly how much fish waste does Kerala generate?
South First sought answers from the departments concerned, but none had a definitive figure. The reality is stark — Kerala, despite its deep-rooted seafood industry, has yet to quantify the scale of its fish waste problem.
Now, with new operational guidelines for collecting and transporting fish waste in place, the challenge remains: Managing a crisis without knowing its full extent.
Despite Kerala’s robust fisheries sector and the growing concerns over waste management, the state currently lacks data on the amount of fish waste generated.
The Suchitwa Mission, which provides technical and managerial support to local self-governments in waste management, admitted that it has no estimates.
Suchitwa Mission Director (Solid Waste Management) Ganga RS stated, “There is no such data. The guideline is a general one. Quantifying fish waste is difficult.”
A similar response came from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board. Chief Environmental Engineer Bindu Radhakrishnan confirmed, “We don’t have that kind of data.”
Even the Fisheries Department has yet to conduct a comprehensive study. A senior official, requesting anonymity, revealed that plans are underway to assess fish waste generation across Kerala.
“Data of this kind is currently unavailable, but we are planning to quantify it. The challenge is that waste generation is directly linked to the fish catch in a particular area. Within two to three months, we may have concrete figures after analysing waste generation in 335 fishing villages, fish stalls, markets, collection agents, waste processors, and processing centres,” the official said.
As Kerala grapples with waste management challenges, this long-overdue study could pave the way for a more sustainable approach to handling fish waste.
Kerala, with its 590 km coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.18 lakh sq km, plays a vital role in India’s marine fisheries sector, contributing 9.21. percent of the country’s total fish production.
In 2023-24, the state recorded a total fish production of 8.32 lakh metric tonnes (MT), 5.81 lakh MT from marine fisheries and 2.51 lakh MT from inland fisheries.
Kerala is ranked third in marine fish production, following Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
However, marine fish production saw a decline from 6.9 lakh MT in the previous year to 5.81 lakh MT in 2023-24, with Ernakulam, Kollam, and Kozhikode accounting for 68.7 percent of the total catch. On the other hand, inland fish production showed a steady rise, reaching 2.51 lakh MT, up from 2.29 lakh MT in 2022-23, with Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Kollam leading the sector.
Kerala is also a major player in seafood exports, ranking third in quantity and second in export value, with 1.97 lakh MT of marine products worth ₹7,231.84 crore exported in 2023-24.
This growth aligns with the national marine export figures of 17.81 lakh MT valued at ₹60,523.89 crore.
Interestingly, fish remains a staple in Kerala’s diet, with per capita fish consumption rising from 19.50 kg in 2021-22 to 20.65 kg in 2022-23, reflecting the deep connection between the people of Kerala and their rich aquatic resources.
It was with the aim to tackle the growing issue of fish waste pollution, that the state has introduced operational guidelines to regulate the collection and processing of fish waste.
The guidelines, released on 9 March, aimed at local self-governing institutions (LSGIs), seek to standardise the collection and storage facilities while ensuring environmental sustainability.
In it, the Suchitwa Mission pointed out that nearly 60 percent of processed fish turn into waste, and improper disposal has been a major concern, leading to pollution and health hazards.
The new framework mandates LSGIs collaborate with service providers for systematic fish waste management. Key stakeholders include fish markets, collection agencies, processing units, the Harbour Engineering Department, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, and Suchitwa Mission.
The initiative promotes the conversion of fish waste into valuable by-products such as fishmeal, collagen, biofuel and food packaging materials. Given the perishable nature of fish waste, efficient handling is crucial to prevent microbial spoilage.
By implementing these guidelines, the state aims to transform fish waste management into an organized industrial sector, reducing environmental damage and unlocking economic potential.
Authorities hope that a structured approach will encourage sustainable practices and create new opportunities in waste-to-value industries.
Fish stall owners and markets must now adhere to stringent waste management protocols set by government authorities and local bodies.
They are required to enter agreements with authorised fish waste collection agencies for daily removal of waste and ensure proper storage at temperatures below 5°C.
Fish waste, including large parts like heads and tails, must be trimmed for easy transportation. Waste must be stored in designated containers with adequate icing to prevent contamination and foul odours. Daily cleaning of disposal containers is mandatory, and wastewater must be treated scientifically.
Stalls must maintain records of stock, sales, and waste generated. Monthly collection receipts from waste agencies are required for license renewal. Unauthorised dumping or non-compliance will attract fines. If waste is not collected regularly, stall owners must inform the Local Self-Government Institution (LSGI).
In the case of fish waste collection agencies and waste processing agencies, it has been stipulated to submit monthly collection reports to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and Suchitwa Mission.
The authorities concerned were of the view that this guideline aims to revolutionise fish waste management in the state, transforming it into a thriving industrial sector.
By promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices, it envisions a self-sustaining business model that not only boosts overall development but also maximizes resource efficiency.
Through innovative solutions, this initiative will turn fish waste into valuable opportunities, ensuring environmental responsibility while driving economic growth.
However, the biggest gap — the missing piece of the puzzle — is the absence of reliable data on how much fish waste the state actually generates. Bridging this data void is key to unlocking the full potential of this initiative.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
