The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has granted in-principle approval to Mother Ocean Pvt Ltd for setting up an open sea mussel farming project at Mashem-Canacona in South Goa. The long-awaited decision came after multiple rounds of discussions and assessments by the authorities.
Mother Ocean Pvt Ltd had submitted an application to the GCZMA on November 3, 2023, seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) for their open sea mussel farming venture. The 377th GCZMA meeting held in December 2023 directed the company to produce an environment impact assessment (EIA) study for further evaluation.
During its February 15 meeting, the authorities reviewed the company’s EIA report. Seeking expert opinion, the GCZMA called for comments from the directorate of fisheries, which responded on April 18, 2024.
After assessing the project’s merits, the GCZMA noted that mussels act as bivalves, filtering water around them, and mussel farming has a low environmental impact as they require no food but grow on ropes as filter feeders. Additionally, mussels sequester carbon from the atmosphere in their shells, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.
While granting approval, the GCZMA has imposed several conditions on the project proponent. The farming area should not hinder local fishermen’s activities or vessel navigation. The company must conduct awareness sessions with local communities to build confidence. All materials used for rafts and racks should be eco-friendly. After project completion, the company must remove all infrastructure.
Concurrent approval from the directorate of fisheries is required before commencement. Any complaints of disturbance to the local fishing community may lead to revocation of approval. The company has to pay a fee of Rs 5 lakh for the approval. The GCZMA believes the project aligns with livelihood missions for the fishing community, providing employment opportunities or ancillary modes of income generation, even though not directly involving fishermen.