Digital Goa, May 21 – Goa government has opened the door for offshore fish farming ventures, inviting applications for open sea cage fish culture in the state’s territorial waters under the Goa State Mariculture Policy 2020. As per the dept the move aims at boosting aquaculture and creating new livelihood opportunities, particularly for artisanal fishers, the Directorate of Fisheries has outlined a framework for setting up fish cages in designated marine zones. Designated marine waters have been classified into Zone B-1 for small cages and Zone B-2 for large cages. Small cages with diameters between 6 metres and 10 metres can be installed in waters with depths of 10 to 15 metres, while larger cages above 10 metres in diameter are permitted in waters deeper than 15 metres.
The annual licence fee for Zone B-1 ranges from ₹500 for up to 500 sq m to ₹4,000 for 2,000 to 4,000 sq m. For Zone B-2, the fee ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹8,000 depending on the area.
The policy states that mariculture development should not conflict with the interests of other users of water bodies. Interested applicants have been asked to submit a detailed project report along with the prescribed application form available on the Fisheries Department website.
