Mariculture, a specialised branch of aquaculture, may soon get a boost in Goa. The department of fisheries has proposed the Goa State Mariculture Policy 2020 to enable fish farmers in the state to take up this initiative. Sea cage farming is still in its infancy in Goa with no open sea cage farms installed in the state besides a pilot project initiated by the department of fisheries at Talpona, Polem, Nuvem in Canacona. Mariculture involves the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products in an enclosed section of the sea such as cages, pens, or in tanks, ponds or raceways which are filled with saline water. The department has formulated a leasing policy to introduce systematic management strategies both for conservation and sustained fish production and to encourage artisanal fishers to take up offshore open sea cage culture so that they shift from capture fisheries regime to culture fisheries regime. There is a need felt to consider open sea cage farming as a commercial activity so as to augment the seafood production in a sustainable manner. However, Goa has no water leasing policy for this new technology and as such it becomes necessary to formulate a policy for leasing the open waters to meet the requirement of the sector, the notification read. Zonation of open water bodies with the help of competent bodies/research institutions will be drawn as and when required. Common property use conflicts will be drawn out so that mariculture activities as such will not hinder navigation, fishing and other users. The leasing policy and management will rest with a single entity so that full potential of the objectives may be established. Carrying capacity, environmental protection and conservation of aquatic ecosystems will also be chalked out. Purchase of species seeds would be from recognised list of marine fish hatcheries prepared by and approved by the department of fisheries. Species selected for farming in floating net cages requires a fish variety that meets the criteria of high valued species, hardy and tolerant species, ability to accept external source of food. The sea cages being situated in the sea can either be at risk due to natural factors or can be a source of risk hence adequate safety measures are required to be taken to prevent accidents including loss of life.