Kings Infra Ventures Limited announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), in coordination with NOAA, has officially approved India’s Turtle Excluder Device (TED) for shrimp trawl fisheries — a development expected to lift the U.S. ban on wild-caught shrimp imports from India that was imposed in 2021 under Section 609 of the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
About the device
The Indian TED, developed by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) based on studies by CMFRI, was tested extensively by FSI and supported by MPEDA.
It features:
- A 10.2 cm (4-inch) grid spacing for shrimp retention
- Optimized escape hatch design for turtle survival
- Durable marine-grade materials suited to tropical waters
- Successful validation along the Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha coasts under NOAA technical review
The device has been scientifically proven to reduce turtle mortality by up to 97%, ensuring India’s compliance with international conservation norms.
Economic and sectoral impact
The approval is expected to generate Rs 1,200–1,500 crore in additional export revenue annually, reviving traditional shrimp exports such as Poovalan and Kari Kadi from Kerala’s Malabar coast. It will also rejuvenate small trawler operations and support the livelihoods of thousands of coastal families, particularly women engaged in shrimp peeling and processing.
“This is a landmark moment for India’s seafood industry,” said Shaji Baby John, Chairman and Managing Director of Kings Infra Ventures. “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
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) will soon issue implementation guidelines and nationwide training programs to facilitate TED adoption across India’s shrimp trawl fleet, ensuring compliance with U.S. export standards.
Kings Infra, a BSE-listed aquaculture company based in Kochi, continues to focus on sustainable seafood innovation through its farm-to-fork ecosystem under Kings Frigo and Kings Bento brands.
