Digital Goa, August 4 – Reacting to the National Institute of Oceanography’s (NIO) study highlighting cadmium contamination in Goa’s oysters, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Tuesday said the government would act if the findings are officially submitted and verified. Halarnkar noted that NIO is a Central government institution and its scientists are appointed by the Centre. “If the study is that significant, they should send the report to the government. The government will take it seriously, cross-check the findings, and take action in the interest of the people,” he said. The minister asserted that CM Pramod Sawant and the state government would take “100 per cent action” if any cognisable issue is established. However, Halarnkar said the government has not yet received any official report on the matter. He claimed that at present, this is ‘information in the air’, published through some media outlets. “We have no concern until an official report is submitted,” he said. Even last time, they made similar claims regarding fish, he went on to add, referring to Goa University study, published in January 2026 which had reported alleged elevated levels of heavy metals in fish caught off Caranzalem Beach.
