To reduce overfishing in Goa’s estuaries, experts from the Old Goa-based ICAR-CCARI urged fishermen to follow sustainable fishing practices and manage the ecosystem. A total of 40 fishermen and farmers from fishing villages around the Zuari estuary — Cacra, Odxel, Nauxim, Bambolim, and Siridao — participated in a campaign recently organised by the institute at Carca to discuss various challenges facing sustainability of fisheries. The fishermen were given scientific knowledge to conserve and manage fisheries resources in the natural waters of Goa. Director of ICAR-CCARI, Parveen Kumar urged the fishermen to “use large meshed gillnets in order to reduce the juvenile catch to stop overfishing in the estuaries.” Estuaries of Goa such as Mandovi and Zuari support the livelihood to thousands of fishermen, hundreds of fish farmers, are a source of fresh fish to the state’s inhabitants and also form an integral part Goan life. Emeritus scientist, ESSO-NCPOR and former head, biological oceanography division, NIO, Dr Baban Ingole, spoke about the various anthropogenic pressures such as overexploitation, pollution, habitat degradation, and invasive species that could seriously impact the fisheries resources of estuaries and rivers.
“Fishermen must help revive the mussel, oyster and clam beds of the estuaries in a participatory mode so as to provide sustainable livelihood to the youth and women along the coastal region,” he said. Senior scientist, Animal Science and Fisheries, Dr Shivasharanappa N emphasised the importance of the day and ensured all technical support to fishermen and farmers in conserving and managing fisheries for future generations. The fishermen requested for scientific and technical support from ICAR for various welfare schemes in the field of fisheries. They also requested assistance for preparing applications for the schemes from the developmental departments.
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