Rs 400 Cr to be invested for holistic development of fisheries sector in Goa: Giriraj Singh

Panaji, Feb 7 (UNI) Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Giriraj Singh on Sunday said that Centre would be investing Rs 400 crore for fisheries sector in Goa.
Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhavan, near the city, he said, “Goa has the potential to become the fisheries hub of the country. I have discussed this with the Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant and Fisheries Minister Filipe Nery Rodrigues of the state about a holistic investment of Rs 400 crore for the fisheries sector in the state. Out of this, Rs 41.47 crore has been already approved under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).”
He said on basis of the discussions with the State Government, it had been decided to develop 30 new landing centres for fisheries as well as for tourism purposes.
Road connectivity from jetties and landing centres to the villages will also be ensured, he said.
Mr Singh said,’Since Goa is the main centre of tourism, ornamental fisheries can lead to very good employment and income growth. For this, about Rs 30 crore will be given for an aquarium with the formation of a cluster in Ornamental Fisheries. With the investment of Rs 5 crore, 50 fish vending kiosks (especially for women) and retail fish markets will be developed in Goa.’
‘Development of state of the art wholesale fish market with an investment of Rs 50 crores will be developed soon. Also, a marine hatchery will be constructed at a cost of 2.5 crores, which will provide quality seed,’ the Union Minister said.
‘Centre has also decided with the help of the Ministry of Shipping to develop a fishing harbour in ‘Vasco Bay’. There are about 300 fishing boats and 1200 people directly connected in the said area, who have been facing a lot of difficulties for a long time. For the construction of a fishing harbour in ‘Vasco-Bay’, he said, adding he would talk to the Ministry of Shipping, the State Government and the Mormugao Port Trust on the project soon.
Mr Singh said Sea cage culture would be promoted in Goa as it would lead to an increase in export of fishes from the state.
To be started with 1000 cages would be developed with the state’s fisheries department, he added.
The Union Minister said ‘Sagar Mitra Scheme’ would be implemented in the villages of Goa for educating the local youth dependent on fishing and fisheries and sea-weed culture and ornamental fish culture would be strengthened in the state of Goa.
‘There is also a lot of scope for inland fisheries in Goa, for which about Rs 65 crores will be provided inland for Biofloc, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and Reservoir Cage Culture. 30 Deep Sea Vessels have sanctioned for Goa for which Rs 32 crore have been allocated. And for the welfare of fishermen, Central Government has increased Insurance Policy coverage from Rs two lakh to five lakh. Besides the Fishing Sector, the Government is also providing a Disease Diagnosis Referral Lab for Livestock with the investment of Rs ten crores in Goa,’ he said.
Goa Minster for Fisheries Filipe Nery Rodrigues thanked the Centre for such a big project and said this would really be useful in making a ‘Swayampurna Goa’.
Mr Giriraj Singh during three-day official visit reviewed the work of the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, ICAR – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute and had a series of meetings with Various State Government departments.