THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The State government on Thursday unveiled a major policy initiative to reserve the State's traditional fish trade for local fishermen by announcing a compulsory identity card system for traditional Goan fishermen and fish vendors, coupled with a crackdown on unauthorised roadside fish sellers.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, speaking at the National Fish Farmers Day 2026 celebrations, said only Goan residents who have lived in the State for at least 15 years and are engaged in the traditional fishing trade would be eligible for the identity cards.
The move comes amid growing concerns among local fishing communities over the increasing presence of non-Goans in the retail fish business.
"Those who have these identity cards will sell fish only in authorised markets. They will not be permitted to sell fish outside the markets or go door-to-door," Sawant said.
In a strong warning, the Chief Minister said he has directed the police to detain those selling fish along roadsides.
"Those selling fish on roadsides are not Goans and are not traditional fishermen of the State. Goans should also avoid roadside fish sales and conduct their business through authorised fish markets," he said.
Sawant said the government intends to ensure that only authorised cardholders are allowed to sell fish in Goa, whether in markets or villages.
Making it clear that the government would not allow local livelihoods to be eroded, Sawant declared that the fishing trade must remain with Goans.
"The fishing industry must remain in the hands of Goans. We will not allow outsiders to take over our fishing business," he asserted.
Warning that the situation could quickly change if left unchecked, Sawant said fishing remains perhaps the only business that is still entirely controlled by Goans.
"It is the only trade that is 100 per cent in the hands of Goans today. But it will not take much time for it to slip away. We first employed outsiders merely to cut fish, and gradually they entered the fish business themselves," he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government is planning to issue fish farmer certificates to members of the Kharvi community to formally recognise traditional fishing families and extend institutional support to them.
Alongside the regulatory measures, the government launched a financial assistance scheme for setting up mud crab culture units and a revised assistance scheme for fish vendors to promote sustainable aquaculture and strengthen livelihoods.
The three-year scheme offers financial assistance for Pen Culture and Vertical Box Crab Culture units, with subsidies of up to Rs 4 lakh for general category beneficiaries and up to Rs 4.8 lakh for women and SC/ST beneficiaries, besides additional support towards input costs.
The scheme is open to fish farmers, traditional fishermen, individuals, registered self-help groups and cooperative societies.
Sawant said fisheries societies would also be eligible for subsidies exceeding 50 per cent for infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, insulated vehicles and trawlers.
He said the government is committed to modernising the fisheries sector through improved infrastructure, better market access and new opportunities in aquaculture, while encouraging young entrepreneurs to view fisheries as a technology-driven industry with significant employment potential.
The Chief Minister also called for maintaining hygiene standards in fish markets, stressing that clean and well-maintained markets are essential to improving consumer confidence and preserving the reputation of Goa's fishing industry.
