As the State Fisheries Department in the Indian state of Goa prepares to launch its new artificial reef scheme, the Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) is urging the government to first implement this initiative in areas where fishing zones have been adversely affected.
The Fisheries Department is set to commence the establishment of artificial reefs across 14 villages in seven coastal talukas of Goa. The Department has already organised awareness programmes in the following talukas: Pernem, Bardez, Tiswadi, Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem, and Canacona, with the aim of deploying artificial reefs in various fishing villages.
The project for Artificial Reefs falls under the sub-component of ‘Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Village’ within the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
While the department has engaged with the fishing community to gain their consensus on these projects, GRE General Secretary Olencio Simoes emphasised that the project should be prioritised in fishing zones that have suffered damage in the past before considering other locations.
Simoes elaborated that they had proposed to the Department to initiate the project at Kharewado and Bat Island in Vasco as the first step. He asserted that if the goal is to rejuvenate and support fishing activities, these areas should be the initial focus.
GRE also expressed reservations about other locations, citing that while they are currently managing, the anticipated government support has not materialised.