Chennai: India will host the World Seafood Congress (WSC) 2026. This is a big deal for the country, which is the sixth-largest seafood provider in the world. The event will take place every two years in Chennai and will bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry executives from all around the world.
The WSC has been held in Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and Iceland since it started in 1999. This will be the first time it has been held in Asia, which shows how important India is becoming in the global seafood business.
Pradeep Devaiah, Chairman of PDA Ventures, the organization that hosted the World Seafood Congress, remarked, “It is a matter of great pride for India to host the World Seafood Congress for the first time.” “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to show the world India’s seafood industry.”
In 2023–24, India sent 1.78 million tons of marine goods worth $7.38 billion to other countries. The total amount of fish produced was 18.40 million tons. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says that world trade in aquatic products would climb 1.7% to $183.8 billion in 2025. Algae exports are also predicted to reach $15 billion.
The Department of Fisheries and the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI) are putting on the event together. It will include technical talks, workshops, and a trade show that will show off new ideas in processing and supply chains.
Dr. Ian Goulding, president of IAFI, remarked, “The World Seafood Congress has always been a bridge between science, industry, and policy.” “Bringing WSC to India shows that the country is becoming a leader in the global seafood trade.”
The congress will also talk about problems in the business, such as how to regulate seafood, how to make processing more environmentally friendly, and how to make the fisheries products economy work in a circular way. Before the congress, there will be an event that focuses on the specific problems that Asian and African countries face in the global seafood market.
The event is being supported by several government ministries and UN groups, such as the FAO and the UN Industrial Development Organization.