PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the government will establish a full-fledged wholesale fish market with cold storage facilities at the SGPDA ground, Old Market-Margao.
He stated this while speaking at the inauguration of three-day Aqua Goa mega fish festival 2020 organised by the directorate of fisheries at SAG ground, Campal-Panaji. Fisheries Minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, MLAs Francis Silveira and Prasad Gaonkar, EDC chairman Sadanand Shet Tanavde, ESG vice chairman Subhash Phaldesai, Secretary (fisheries) P S Reddy, director of fisheries Shamila Monteiro, CCP Mayor Uday Madkaikar, Coast Guard DIG Himanshu Nautiyal and bollywood actress Mugda Ghodse were present on the dais.
Speaking further Sawant said that the foundation stone for the new wholesale fish market complex will be laid soon. The well equipped wholesale fish market will have all the facilities including cold storages and other modern amenities for the benefits of exporters and importers and quality fish will be made available at affordable prices to the people.
The Chief Minister said that the government was fully committed towards welfare of people who are in the business of fishing. He urged youth of the State to get involved into this business as fisheries business had lot of potential to grow in larger scale.
Sawant stressed on need to explore new avenues of fishing other than fishing in the sea. Back waters fishing and other types of fishing activities will help to make available fresh and good qualities of fish throughout the year, he said adding that the government will make optimum use of the blue revolution in the fishing sector announced by the Government of India.
Sawant also expressed that young generation need to move towards special studies in fisheries so as to make better research in fish economy.
Felipe Neri spoke about the growing potential in the sector of fisheries business. He said the main objective of organising Aqua Goa fish festival was to spread awareness regarding fisheries business and various aspects of its economy.
Mugdha Godse said that fishing business is evolving as a new career and it is very much welcoming that lots of youth were getting involved in this business.
Aqua Goa fish festival has unique aquarium, fish pond and also variety of food stalls around.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated fisherman, raponkars and fisherwomen for their valuable contribution towards fisheries business. Ajit Chodankar of Betul, Harshad Dhond of Panaji, Minguel Rodrigues of Benaulim, Librata from Margao, Ana Maria Colaco from Dona Paula, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott president Agnel Rodrigues of Velsao, Joao Lobo of Calangute and Caitan Fernandes of Nerul were felicitated. The Zuari Fisheries Marketing Co-operative Society, Vasco was also adjudged as the best society.
Earlier, Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro welcomed the gathering and Sidhi Upadhye conducted the programme.
Earlier, a seminar on marine fisheries was held where Indian Coast Guard commandant Rajesh Kumar and Fishery Survey of India (FSI), fisheries scientist Dr Pradeep H D spoke.
Commandant Rajesh Kumar spoke on safety and security for fishermen at sea and the role and functions assigned to the Coast Guard by the Government of India. He also stressed the need for better coordination between the Coast Guard and the fishermen.
Dr Pradeep spoke on conservation of fish and utilising it in a sustainable way. He said that after modernisation fishermen had shifted fishing from shallow waters to deep waters. He gave a brief account of demersal fin fish resources found in rock areas between Goa and Mangalore and about the oceanic fin fish such as tuna fish, yellow fin tuna, big eye tuna, skipjack tuna, blue marlin, sword fish, tiger shark and black tip shark found between Goa and Sidhudurg region.
Dr Pradeep said that some of the methods for fishery conservation and enhancement of fish was regulation of fishing capacity, diversification of fishing methods, enforcement of seasonal fishing ban, protection of nursery grounds, protection of mangrove forests and restoration of fishing grounds.
During the next two days, various competitions like solo dance, elocution, cookery, fancy dress, drawing and rangoli will be organised for the school students. Also a competition on best out of waste will be organised where only 30 entries will be allowed.