By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Stating that Kerala is embracing the “vision of the Blue Economy,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said Kerala saw immense potential in collaborating with the European Union (EU) which would help expand opportunities for the State’s fisheries sector.

Blue Economy, a concept which seeks to balance economic growth with sustainability, is central to the State government’s policies. This is also “one of the most exciting areas” for collaboration between Kerala and the EU, which has global leadership in marine technologies, ocean governance, and sustainability frameworks, the Chief Minister said.

He was inaugurating Blue Tides – Kerala-European Union Blue Economy Conclave organised by the Fisheries department here on Friday.

The Kerala-EU partnership, Mr. Vijayan said, would be built on a strong foundation of mutual respect and shared values. “We see immense potential in collaborating with Europe to meet high quality and sustainability standards, thereby expanding opportunities for our fisherfolk and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Recalling Kerala’s age-old maritime links with the West, Mr. Vijayan said history had given Kerala another opportunity to reaffirm that legacy, not as passive recipients of global currents but as active partners in shaping a sustainable future.

“Together we can create models that are not only beneficial to our regions, but also relevant to the entire world,” he said.

He described the two-day Blue Tides conclave held on Thursday and Friday as a significant milestone in a journey aimed at building bridges of cooperation, innovation, and sustainability across continents. “Through the proposed partnership, Kerala seeks not just to unite geographies, but also uniting shared aspirations for prosperity, sustainability and human progress,” Mr. Vijayan said.

The Kerala government organised the conclave at a time when Kerala’s seafood sector is facing stiff challenges arising from the prohibitory U.S. import tariffs imposed on India.

Union Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Rajiv Ranjan Singh was guest of honour at the event. Ambassador of European Union to India Herve Delphin; Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian; Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, and other State Ministers, Ambassadors and senior officials of EU nations and Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, were among those present.