ICAR-CCARI Organizes Scientist–Fishermen Interaction on Climate-Resilient Fish Farming Technologies in Cacra, Goa

Recognizing the urgent need for climate adaptation and livelihood security, the Government of India has launched the Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs) initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). As part of this initiative, 100 coastal fishing villages across India have been designated as CRCFVs to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities against climate change. One of the selected villages is Cacra, Goa, which is set to be transformed into a model climate-resilient coastal fishermen village. In this context, ICAR-CCARI, Goa organized a scientist–fishermen interaction programme on 5th June 2025 to assess local requirements and promote sustainable mariculture technologies tailored to Cacra’s coastal ecosystem. The meeting was attended by Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI; Shri Vishwas Kadam, Deputy General Manager, NABARD Goa; Shri Trivesh Mayekar and Dr. Sreekanth G. B., Scientists, ICAR-CCARI; along with 15 fishermen from the Cacra Fishermen Cooperative Society.

    In his inaugural address, Dr. Parveen Kumar emphasized the pressing need to adopt climate-resilient fish production technologies, especially in the face of increasing climate change impacts. He highlighted the unsustainable dependence on capture fisheries and advocated for aquaculture as a sustainable solution to ensure long-term fish production and income security for coastal communities. Shri Trivesh Mayekar presented a detailed roadmap outlining various coastal mariculture activities that can be undertaken in Cacra to promote employment and livelihood opportunities for the local fishermen's cooperative society. His presentation covered the technical and economic feasibility of open ocean cage culture, along with complementary activities such as seaweed and mussel farming. Shri Vishwas Kadam shared NABARD’s vision and potential support for such initiatives. He stressed the importance of active participation, internal cooperation, and a sense of mutual responsibility among the cooperative society members. He also advised them to plan the equitable distribution of responsibilities and profits to ensure long-term sustainability and success. During the interaction, fishermen raised valid concerns regarding the safety and durability of cages, conflicts with other fishing activities, impacts of wind and wave conditions, storm vulnerability, and risks of theft or damage from passing vessels. They also inquired about the permission process from regulatory departments. In response, the scientists addressed their concerns by explaining the structural resilience of sea cages and the high-quality materials used in their construction. They assured that all implementations would be in accordance with Goa’s Mariculture Policy and supported by proper training and monitoring. The interaction was conducted by Shri Trivesh Mayekar, Dr. Sreekanth G. B., and Mr. Harshvardhan Shetye, Young Professional, ICAR-CCARI. This collaborative event marked a significant step toward the holistic empowerment of Cacra’s fishermen through participatory, climate-resilient mariculture.