Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar appealed to the youth to set up industries in the fisheries sector and allied activities, including food processing.
“The main goal of the festival is to take this industry forward. We can expand the fishing industry to any extent, which means we can boost our economy, may it be of an individual, the state, or the country,” said Halarnkar.
He was speaking after inaugurating the seventh edition of the Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival at Campal, Panaji.
On the occasion, sanction orders were given to the six beneficiaries of various fisheries schemes.
Halarnkar said that the fishing industry is not limited to the sea and that fishing production can now be taken up on excess land in forests, barren land, and mountains, too, using technology.
“Fish is a natural resource and cannot be harvested indiscriminately. Due to this, the Centre, to promote the Blue Revolution, has announced various subsidies through various schemes,” he said, adding that, every year, Goa’s fish exports are increasing, as is the demand. Earlier in the day, he inaugurated the Business-to-Business (B2B) stall, Aquarium Gallery, at the venue.
“If you look at the consumption, we cannot fulfil it in a natural manner. At this three-day festival, we have brought researchers and experts from various institutions to provide an opportunity to the young talent to interact with them,” said Halarnkar, adding, “Instead of taking up jobs, if they get into setting up industry or get into business, they as well as the government will benefit. We have to engage in startups and start new industries.”
The three-day festival, which will conclude on February 4, will showcase different species of fish found in the state and country. Additionally, capacity-building workshops and competitions have also been organised.
