India will host the prestigious World Seafood Congress (WSC) 2026 in Chennai, marking the first time the biennial event will be held in the country. The Congress, a major platform for discussions on seafood trade, safety, innovation, and sustainability, has previously been hosted in countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, Morocco, the United States, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Malaysia and Portugal.
The upcoming edition is being co-organised by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, along with the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI), a United Nations-recognised NGO. The event will be hosted by PDA Ventures Pvt. Ltd., with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, serving as joint organiser.
Multiple central ministries and national institutions are supporting the initiative, including the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), NITI Aayog, Seafood Exporters Association of India, ICAR-CIBA, ICAR-CMFRI, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), the Foundation for Advancement of Integrated Technologies and Training (FAITT), and the Indian Marine Ingredients Association (IMIA), among others.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, is the technical partner for the Congress. International cooperation has also been extended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and WorldFish. A pre-Congress event is being planned to specifically address the challenges faced by Asian and African countries in participating in the global seafood trade.
Highlighting the importance of the event, Pradeep Devaiah, Chairman of PDA Ventures Pvt. Ltd., said it is a matter of great pride for India to host the World Seafood Congress for the first time. He added that this is a landmark opportunity to showcase India’s seafood sector, attract international collaborations, and discuss sustainable practices and technologies.
India has emerged as a key player in global seafood markets, currently ranked as the sixth-largest exporter of seafood globally and the second-largest producer of fish through aquaculture. In the financial year 2023–24, India exported 1.78 million tonnes of marine products valued at ₹60,523.89 crore (approximately USD 7.38 billion). The country’s total fish production reached 18.40 million tonnes during the same period, according to data from the Press Information Bureau.
The seafood trade continues to grow worldwide. As per FAO projections, the global trade in aquatic animal products is expected to increase by 1.7 per cent, reaching USD 183.8 billion in 2025. In the same year, global exports of algae products are forecast to rise to USD 15 billion, up from USD 14.03 billion in 2024.
The Congress will also feature a concurrent trade fair, showcasing the latest innovations in seafood processing equipment, cold chains, packaging, testing, analytics and certification. Organisers expect the trade fair to support seafood exporters in enhancing their competitiveness and trade capabilities.
In addition to the exhibition, the event will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, technical presentations and workshops. Key thematic areas for the Congress will focus on the role of seafood trade in nutrition and livelihoods, regulatory and inspection challenges, science and technology in seafood processing, and circular economy models for fisheries and aquaculture products.
Abstract submissions are currently open, with researchers, industry professionals, policymakers and innovators invited to present their work. Accepted abstracts will be featured in the technical sessions of the Congress, providing participants with an opportunity to engage with a global audience of peers, decision-makers and stakeholders.
To promote wider participation, IAFI will conduct a poster competition, and the Peter Howgate Award will be presented to encourage the involvement of young professionals in the fisheries sector.
IAFI President Dr. Ian Goulding said the World Seafood Congress has always served as a bridge between science, industry and policy. He noted that bringing the Congress to India reflects the country’s growing leadership in global seafood trade and provides a vital platform for developing countries in Asia and Africa to connect with global markets, enhance food security, and advance sustainable trade practices.
