cage culture will get a much-needed boost in Goa with this form of aquaculture production being initiated across state rivers this year.
Twenty-two units, or cages, growing high-value fish such as chonak and pomfret are being installed across state rivers under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme. The scheme helps promote the socio-economic welfare of fishers and fish farmers by providing safety kits, replacing boats and nets, providing Insurance for fishing vessels and fishermen, etc.
Seeds of the fish are currently being sourced from a private fish hatchery in Kumta, Karnataka. However, the fisheries department will al-so set up a hatchery in Benaulim from where farmers can source fish and shrimp seeds locally, said Monteiro.
Under the PMMSY scheme, the central government has released Rs19. 44 lakh and the State Government has released Rs12. 96 lakh to install cages in rivers in 2022-23. With a financial achievement of Rs32. 40 lakh, 22 cages are expected to be set up in 2023 by six beneficiaries.