ICAR-CCARI celebrated World Fisheries Day at Bandora village, Goa

    ICAR- CCARI in association with Bandora Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) and Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) celebrated world fisheries day at Kharwada, Bandar, Bandora on 21 November 2024. The programme was attended by Dr Pradip Sarmokadam (Member Secretary of GSBB), Ramchandra Naik (Sarpanch), Chitra Phadte (Dy Sarpanch), Krishna Gaude (Secretary), Shri Bhaktaraj Phadte (President, Rampurush Gaudepurush Devasthan). Adv Surel Tilve, Chairman of the BMC, welcomed the participants and briefed about the village and its rich biodiversity. Dr Pradip Sarmokadam highlighted the importance of World Fisheries Day and the need for conservation of traditional and small scale fisheries. He also appreciated the efforts of the BMC for compiling one of the best People Biodiversity Register from the state of Goa. Dr. Sreekanth, Senior Scientist (Fisheries Resource Management) from ICAR-CCARI gave an informative talk on the fisheries sector of Goa. He informed the participants that a total of 640 species of fish species has been recorded from Goa. Posters displaying the fishes of Goa and technical bulletins on ornamental fisheries were distributed during the function. A demonstration of indigenous fishes of Goa was also arranged for the participants. The package of practices of pond fish culture, cage farming and crab farming were discussed with the participants. Dr. Sreekanth also provided valuable information for SHG to set up small scale business and start-ups based on fisheries and assured that the institute will provide necessary guidance and training for them. Fishermen raised issues pertaining to renovation of dock, desilting of estuary, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing as the pertinent challenges in the decline of traditional fishing. They also demonstrated the traditional fishing techniques, and operation of nets and canoes for the knowledge of the students.  The event was attended by students, self-help groups (SHG), local fishermen and villagers. Dr Sreekanth GB and Shri Trivesh Mayekar, Scientist (Fish genetics and breeding) co-ordinated the programme from ICAR-CCARI.