THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
In view of the fishing ban which has come into force from June 1, the Fisheries Department on Monday held a meeting to discuss conservation of fish during the crucial two months breeding period.
The meeting, held at the Fisheries Department, saw the Deputy Director of Fisheries Dr Smita Mazumdar, discuss ideas together with three other members of the Department and co-ordinator of the Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) Roland Martins.
In order to fine tune the plan, another bigger meeting has also been planned for June 27 with members of the Biodiversity Board, Department of Environment, ICAR, Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Fisheries Survey of India.
Several points were discussed at the meeting like how mangroves play an important role in fish conservation, how to eat fish in a safe way, how to not eat fish when they're breeding, how to prevent fish from getting neglected after being caught, and the whole issue of consumer safety after the whole formalin in fish controversy that broke out last year.
Martins urged the Fisheries Department to get actively involved in consumer awareness about fish, as the entire responsibility for the same had fallen with the FDA.
It was also discussed how training workshops could be held for children in schools who were the young consumers of fish but had poor knowledge of the fish resources in Goa and the country at large.
Martins recommended that the Department introduce an intensive information campaign on how pollution of the water bodies is affecting fish breeding in Goa. He advocated using IEC materials (posters, flyers etc.) and articles and features in the print and audio visual media to launch a taluka wise awareness program with the collaboration of the GSPCB.
He also recommended promoting a mangrove ecosystem protection awareness campaign in collaboration with the Department of Environment by giving information on the fish, shellfish and crustaceans that are linked to mangroves in Goa.
The officials from the Department were co-operative and agreed to take the agenda forward.
