Exciting news emerges from Panaji as the directorate of fisheries’ seabass cage culture demo unit at Ela farm, Old Goa, is poised to harvest a bountiful 3,000 kilograms of fish next month. Launched in November, this initiative aims to showcase the potential of cage culture fisheries in bolstering local fish production, particularly in rural areas.
The project kicked off with a demonstration unit at the Aqada farm in St Estevam last year, stocking it with 450-500 fish seeds. Encouraged by its success, numerous fish farmers in St Estevam followed suit, establishing their own cage culture units in the village’s water bodies.
While the project encountered a minor setback due to water currents causing the relocation of the fisheries department’s cage, swift action was taken to ensure the continuity of the project. The fish population was promptly translocated to the Ela farm in Old Goa, where they have been thriving under diligent care.
“We lacked maintenance staff at the Aqada farm, owing to which we had to shift to Ela farm,” explained a fishery official. Despite this transition, the fish at Ela farm’s unit are flourishing, with no reported fatalities. Additionally, the fish grown by the villagers of St Estevam are showing promising growth.
As anticipation mounts for the upcoming harvest in the last week of May, stakeholders remain optimistic about the project’s success. However, diligent monitoring and protection against potential threats are essential for its sustainability.
“At Ela farm, measures are in place to safeguard the seabass from predators such as otters and crocodiles, ensuring a secure environment for optimal growth and development,” affirmed the official. With careful management, Goa’s cage culture project holds great promise for enhancing local fish production and livelihoods.
Source-TOI