A crucial meeting of stakeholders in Panaji has paved the way for a comprehensive action plan designed to revitalize Goa's fisheries sector. The gathering brought together fish exporters, various government departments, and regulatory agencies with a unified goal: to address persistent challenges in fisheries production, post-harvest management, and exports to significantly improve the state's export performance.
Draft Plan Awaits Union Minister's Nod
The draft action plan will soon be submitted to the Union Commerce Minister for approval, revealed TG Manojkumar, the Deputy Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). He stated that the meeting saw participation from all major fish exporters and related departments, including export promotion and regulatory bodies. Based on the detailed discussions, a concrete action plan for Goa was developed. Manojkumar added that the draft recommendations are currently being circulated among stakeholders for final feedback before official submission.
Unlocking Deep-Sea Potential and Innovative Models
A central recommendation of the plan is to aggressively increase deep-sea fishing activity, particularly within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Currently, fishing efforts in these rich waters remain surprisingly low, despite the presence of high-value species like tuna. MPEDA estimates suggest an untapped production potential of over one lakh tonnes in this zone. Tapping into this resource is seen as a major lever to boost export figures.
To make long-distance fishing operations more efficient and ensure product quality, the plan proposes an innovative "mother-child vessel cluster" model. Under this system, larger 'mother' vessels equipped with processing units, storage, fuel, and food supplies would operate in deep-sea areas. Smaller 'child' vessels would then be responsible for the actual harvesting, transferring their catch to the mother ship for immediate processing, which is critical for maintaining freshness.
Comprehensive Measures for Sustainable Growth
The draft blueprint extends beyond deep-sea fishing to include a suite of measures aimed at holistic development of the sector. Other key proposals include:
- Developing an online platform for digital submission of vessel log sheets to improve monitoring.
- Enforcing stricter regulations on vessel capacity and mandating minimum legal mesh sizes to promote sustainable fishing.
- Launching capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard and other allied agencies.
- Establishing a multi-species hatchery under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
- Focusing on nursery development and supporting cage culture co-operative societies.
- Ensuring local availability of quality fish feed, providing biosecurity support, and promoting value-addition activities.
The concerted effort outlined in the draft action plan represents a significant step towards transforming Goa's fisheries sector. By addressing infrastructure, regulation, and sustainability, the state aims to harness its full marine potential and secure a stronger position in the global seafood export market.
