A resident of Candolim, North Goa became the first entrepreneur in the State to start an open sea cage farm under Goa State Mariculture Policy. Based on the request submitted to the Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Shri. Sheldon Fernandes was sanctioned licence to undertake open sea cage culture at Candolim. He is also a beneficiary under a centrally sponsored scheme of the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India and State Fisheries Department.
The cage frames made of galvanised iron (GI) have a diameter of 6m and fishes are cultured inside a net with depth of 5 m tied to the cage frame. Hatchery produced seeds of Asian Seabass (Chonak) and Silver Pompano are being cultured in 5 cages.2 cages under All India Network Project on Mariculture of ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Karwar have been integrated in the said project. The technical advisory for the cage culture is also provided by ICAR-CMFRI, Karwar.
The open sea cage culture farm was inaugurated on October 28, 2022 by Dr. Shamila Monterio, Director, Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa. Dr Suresh Babu P P, Dr Anuraj A, Scientist from CMFRI, Karwar and Mr Chandresh Haldankar, Superintendent of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries were also present during the function. Seeing the huge potential in mariculture activity, Government of Goa became the first State in India to notify mariculture policy to augment fish production through fish culture in cages (closed enclosures) from the sea.
