India's first fisheries hub to come up in Goa, boosting state's presence in global markets

Edged by a flourishing coastline and housing multiple water bodies, Goa is home to a thriving industry of fishing and allied activities. With aims to further boost pisciculture and affiliated business activities in the state, Goa would be soon gifted with a fisheries hub. Reportedly, this project with investments worth ₹400 crores from the central government, was recently announced by the Union Fisheries Minister.

With objectives to increase employment & earnings

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fitsgoa.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FFishing-Ban-Cover.png%3Fresize%3D780%2C400%26ssl%3D1&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fi2.wp.com&s=944&h=3b728434cb2eca8f1f322997b3ad6cebd9d4971782e8fddfe2f52c57010c958e&size=980x&c=304617438 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" caption="" photo_credit_src="https://i2.wp.com/itsgoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Fishing-Ban-Cover.png?resize=780%2C400&ssl=1" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fitsgoa.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2019%252F05%252FFishing-Ban-Cover.png%253Fresize%253D780%252C400%2526ssl%253D1%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fi2.wp.com%26s%3D944%26h%3D3b728434cb2eca8f1f322997b3ad6cebd9d4971782e8fddfe2f52c57010c958e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D304617438%22%7D" expand=1]

As per reports, a fund of ₹41 crores has been already assigned for this scheme under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Reportedly, the minister mentioned that the state with ample water resources enfolds the capacity of the largest fish production in the country. He further added that the introduction of 30 landing centres and jetties for fishing boats is one of the key developments under this project.

The latest plans are also inclusive of the establishment of a seaweed and exquisite fish complex to propel the business of the state's presence in national and international markets. While Indonesia and China are the top players in this multi-dollar global industry, Goa stands a chance to grab a remarkable proportion in the market. Additionally, this would also lead to a hike in employment opportunities and earnings of the local people in this industry.

Multiple facilities to improve the business activities in the state

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2FCID_0419_f87068d63524413d3cb815ba0c1fc389.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fgoa.pscnotes.com&s=369&h=9844d07d58f558ca18e75a2bdce7fed6a1189b0e53b68dbbaabc751538e989e6&size=980x&c=3524541300 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" caption="" photo_credit_src="https://goa.pscnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CID_0419_f87068d63524413d3cb815ba0c1fc389.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2017%252F10%252FCID_0419_f87068d63524413d3cb815ba0c1fc389.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fgoa.pscnotes.com%26s%3D369%26h%3D9844d07d58f558ca18e75a2bdce7fed6a1189b0e53b68dbbaabc751538e989e6%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3524541300%22%7D" expand=1]

Other provisions of the project talk about enhancing the Margao wholesale market, specialised facilities for women and retail fish market, amongst other things. It is also proposed that technical assistance would be utilized to spot areas inhabited by larger quantities of fish.

Reportedly, the Minister asserted that a new fishing harbour will be developed at Vasco Bay to ease the prevailing difficulties in the region. In addition to this, Sagar Mitras in 70 villages will be trained to spread information amongst the rural population dependent on fishing. Another notable part of the announcements, is the proposal to set up a diagnosis referral lab for livestock, to be developed at a cost of ₹10 crores.

When the government attempts to amplify the most prominent industry at the local level, the economic progress of the region stands assured. With the latest interventions, it can be expected that Goa may soon evolve as a busy market addressing the demands of the fishing industry at domestic and global levels.