Panaji: On the same day the state announced plans to boost the fisheries sector, the Captain of Ports said that it plans to introduce a Rs 5,000 fee for fishermen who install fishing cages, racks, or stakes in rivers. The move to charge fishermen could draw scrutiny given the state’s constitutional obligations toward artisanal fishing communities.Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues said that Goa’s port rules are being amended, with the draft rules being published in the Official Gazette on Thursday. Authorities have kept a 15-day window for public feedback.The notification coincided with the state’s official function to mark National Fish Farmers Day. During the event, chief minister Pramod Sawant and fisheries minister Nilkant Halarnkar launched a financial assistance scheme for the fishermen who set up crab farming and cage farming.Under the proposed amendment, permissions currently issued under the mooring category will be valid for 3 years. The department will conduct an annual inspection to ensure that fishermen comply with the prescribed norms.The Indian Ports Act, 2025, which replaced the century-old Indian Ports Act, will be amended. The new law consolidates port governance across major and minor ports, including their extensive river network used by traditional fishing communities.The introduction of a formal fee for structures traditionally built by fishermen to sustain their livelihoods may raise concerns among fishing communities and rights groups amid ongoing debates over how to balance port development with traditional fishing rights in Goa.
