Goa has an enormous brackishwater resource potential with an area of 330 ha for augmentation of coastal mariculture. However, the lack of awareness about the relevant technology among the people was found to be the major cause of poor growth of this sector.
However, after a successful trial by ICAR Research Complex for Goa, about fifteen farmers have shown interest to take up mussel culture in Goa's estuarine and coastal waters
The trial farmed Green Mussel (Perna viridis), locally known as “Xinanneo”, on racks in a semi- enclosed water body of 0.6 ha integrated with a pig unit of Antonio Bosco Menezes at Goavelha during November last year.
Sixty muslin bags each filled with 1 kg mussel spat (with an average size with 28 mm length and 2 g weight) was used for stocking in the rack structure.
Regular monitoring and advisories were provided and biweekly analysis of the physicochemical and biological parameters of water, sediment and mussel was carried out.
The harvest was carried out after a period of six months. The farmer was able to get a production of 5760 mussels with a total weight of 186.125 kg from 60 kg mussel spat.
Each mussel was sold at a price of Rs.5/piece with an average weight of 33g. Total production cost was around Rs. 14,370. The total returns and the net profit gained were Rs. 28,800 and Rs. 16,510 respectively.
