Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said that there is no decline in fish catch during the year 2022 which was 1,22,223 tons compared to the year 2021 which was 1,21,469 tons. “There is no decline in fish catch during the year 2022 which was 1,22,223 tons compared to the year 2021 which was 1,21,469 tons,” said Halarnkar
He further said that Department had started project of cage culture on pilot basis under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme of National Mission for Protein Supplement at Nuvem, Palolem and Talpona.
“Under Prdhan Mantri Mathsya Sampadha Yojana (PMMSY), Financial Assistance is given to beneficiaries under the components such as Reservoir Cage Culture and Open Sea Cage Culture,” he said. Also, wide awareness is being made amongst the fishermen and entrepreneurs. However, no fishermen came forward to take up the project for Canancona and Quepem.
“the funds are sanctioned overall for the state of Goa and not Constituency wise. Further, it is to state that no applicants from Quepem Constituency has applied under the Tribal Sub-Plan for the last 3 years,” he added. He further said that the Government is promoting culture of Grey Mullet (Shevto) in River Cage Culture and Pond Culture etc.
“The local Goan endangered species is Windowpane oyster (Placuna placenta) and is protected under Schedule IV of the Indian Wild Life Protection Act, 1972,” he added. Minister said that no invasive species of fish have been reported that are a threat to Goa’s Marine ecosystem.
He informed that Government of India notified a list of endangered species of sharks banned from fishing as per the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 published on notification dated 5 th December, 2001.