In a positive trend for fisheries in the state, fish catch from inland rivers, estuaries, lakes and other water bodies grew significantly in 2023-24, recording a 60% jump. The availability of inland fish, which comes as a big relief to the fish-loving Goans during monsoon, leaped to 8,651 tonnes during the year from 5,400 tonnes in 2022-23. Furthermore, the surge in the volume came about even as marine fishing in the state suffered due to over exploitation and indiscriminate fishing practices. Production of marine fish netted by deep-sea trawlers decreased to 1,17,469 tonnes in 2023-24, from 1,39,970 tonnes in 2022-23.
According to director of fisheries Shamila Monteiro, who is also the member secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board, the higher inland fish catch reflects the improving water quality of
Goan rivers.
“The inland fish catch increased due to the good quality of the river bodies,” she said. Goa’s inland fish production comprises fish captured by traditional fishermen by using canoes as well as culture fisheries from fish farms. The varieties include lady fish (muddoshi), cat fish (sangot), sea bass (chonak), mullets (shevto), sole (lepo), crabs, prawns, clams (tisreo, kalwam), oysters, etc.
Inland fish catch is at its peak during the monsoon months although this fishing is undertaken throughout the year. For Goans who love their fish all year round, the supply of inland fish varieties during the rainy season comes as a respite, with no sea fish coming in due to the two-month fishing ban. Inland fish catch is a small component of the total catch in the state but its share is on the rise. Presently the share of inland fish catch in the total production is 7% compared to 4% in 2018-19.
The information on inland fish production in the state was shared by the director of fisheries at a function of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) held recently to celebrate the institute’s 50th anniversary.
Goa is aiming for a blue revolution under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada scheme through new projects such as brackish water fish farms, shrimp culture and open water cages to increase fish supply from the local water sources. The Goa State Mariculture Policy 2020 was notified to carry out open sea cage fish culture in the territorial waters of the state. The policy offers financial incentives provided from central grant for open water fish cage projects.