Goa Can Become Country's Main Exporter of Fish: Fisheries Minister

On Saturday, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Giriraj Singh, declared that the State has better scope to become a major exporter of fish in the nation.

'There is an immense potential for the export of around eight to ten lakh metric tons of fish from Goa,' the Union Minister of Fisheries said while speaking to the media at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate fish processing unit.

Filipe Neri Rodrigues, the State Fisheries Minister, and Clafasio Dias, the Cuncolim MLA, accompanied the Union Minister on a three-day official visit to Goa.

The Fisheries Ministry is preparing to make Goa Atmanirbhar in the fisheries sector as part of the Central Government's Atmanirbhar Bharat. In the past, the Goa economy was focused on the mining industry, but as Goa's economic hub, there is now a wide scope for fishing and fish farming.

'I spoke with various departments and organizations such as the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and other stakeholders involved in the fishing industry to grow the Goa blue sea sector,' Giriraj said.

When questioned at the fish meal plants in Cuncolim about the pollution issue, Giriraj said, 'If anybody does not respect the law of the land, it is the government of the state that has to intervene and not tolerate illegality.'

Filipe Neri, Minister of State for Fisheries, said, 'In the past two days, the Union Minister has met with different organisations and individuals from the fishing industry. The state government, along with the Centre, will address all problems that hinder the growth of the fishing industry. Our mission is to establish Goa Atmanirbhar in fishing and to find ways of improving the fishing industry.'