Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Fisheries celebrated National Fish Farmers Day 2026 with the launch of two new financial assistance schemes and a series of announcements aimed at strengthening Goa’s traditional fishing sector.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar launched the Financial Assistance Scheme for the Setting Up of Crab Culture in Goa and the Financial Assistance Scheme for Fish Vendors, aimed at promoting fisheries and improving the livelihoods of those engaged in the sector.
Addressing the gathering, Sawant announced that the State Government will introduce mandatory Fishermen Cards for traditional Goan fishermen. He said only those holding the cards will be permitted to sell fish in Goa’s markets, adding that the cards will be issued exclusively to traditional Goan fishermen and not to outsiders.
The Chief Minister said the initiative is intended to safeguard the livelihood of local fishermen and preserve one of the few traditional occupations that continues to remain largely in the hands of Goans. He urged the fishing community to ensure that the sector does not pass into the hands of outsiders.
Sawant also announced a crackdown on illegal roadside fish sales across the state. Alleging that outsiders are selling fish along roadsides, he said the police have been instructed to take strict action and reiterated that fish should be sold only in designated markets.
In a lighter moment, the Chief Minister said he regularly purchases fish from the Sankhali and Panaji fish markets and knows many of the vendors personally. He added that he would soon visit the Mapusa Fish Market to buy fish.
Meanwhile, Halarnkar announced that the long-pending issue of Harcar licence renewals has been resolved under the guidance of the Chief Minister. He said fishermen will now be required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) only once, eliminating the need for fresh NOCs during future licence renewals.
