PANAJI
The 9th edition of the Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival 2026 will be held from January 9 to 11, with the State government projecting it as a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries, innovation, and the Blue Economy.
Announcing the festival on Tuesday, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said it is a “country-first” initiative by a State government, bringing together experts, policymakers, researchers, academics, and industry stakeholders on a single platform.
Highlighting support for the fishing community, Halarnkar said schemes under the Prime Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana are being implemented. “We are providing a 40 per cent subsidy for storage so that fishermen can preserve their catch and get better returns,” he said.
Fisheries Secretary Prasanna Acharya said the festival aims to create awareness and encourage innovation.
The Minister said the festival will also celebrate Goan culture, with folk dances, local bands, and a special song composed by Mukesh Ghatwal in honour of fishermen. He added that food stalls at the festival will be reserved for local Goans to ensure community participation and benefit.
