In a first in the country, an open sea cage farm has been launched in Goa under the MariculturePolicy with the technical guidance of the Karwar Regional Station of ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Realising the huge potential in mariculture, Government of Goa became the first state in India to notifythe Mariculture Policyfor open sea cage farming in territorial waters. Following this, ICAR-CMFRI extended technical support to Mr Sheldon Fernandes, a Candolim resident ofNorth Goa belonging to fishermen community to become the first entrepreneur in India withan open sea cage farm under the Policy.The cage culture farm at Candolim, North Goa was inaugurated by Dr Sharmila Monteiro, Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa on 28thOctober 2022.
Mr. SheldonFernandes was sanctioned five cages under centrally sponsored scheme of Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Goa. Two cages were also provided under All India Network Project on Mariculture of ICAR- CMFRI, Karwar for demonstration of Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture. Hatchery produced seeds of Asian seabass, Latescalcariferand silver pompano (Trachinotusblochii) were stocked in these cages. The technical guidance for the entire period of cage culture will be extended by ICAR-CMFRI, Karwar
Dr Suresh Babu P P, Scientist in Charge and Dr Anuraj A, Scientist of Karwar Regional Station of ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) were also present during the launch of the initiative.