Natural Calamity Relief to Fishermen gives active fishermen in Goa money help when natural disasters damage their work. If you put money into the Fishermen Corpus Relief Fund, this scheme steps in when your fishing vessels, nets, or equipment are damaged or lost due to floods, cyclones, tsunamis, or accidental fire. It acts as a safety net so you can get back to fishing after a crisis.
Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa runs this scheme for fishermen who regularly contribute to the Fishermen Corpus Relief Fund. The scheme is open for the 2026-27 period and continues to support fishermen who lose their boats or gear in natural calamities. You can file your claim offline at the department office.
Natural Calamity Relief to Fishermen - Introduction
Natural Calamity Relief to Fishermen is a state-level scheme by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa. It offers cash support to active fishermen who regularly contribute to the Fishermen Corpus Relief Fund. When your fishing vessels or equipment get damaged or lost due to unforeseen natural calamities, you can claim this support to get back on your feet. You should submit your application offline to the relevant department office.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Natural Calamity Relief to Fishermen |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Goa |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment, Agriculture, Rural and Environment |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Department | Fisheries Department |
Benefits
This scheme provides cash support to help you recover from unexpected losses. Below is a breakdown of the support limits as assessed by an authorized marine surveyor:
| Category | Maximum Support |
|---|---|
| Loss of Life/Total Disability | ₹5,00,000 |
| Partial Damage to Fishing Canoe | ₹1,00,000 |
| Total Loss/Damage of Canoe with OBM | ₹2,00,000 |
| 1 to 4-cylinder Fishing Vessel | ₹7,00,000 |
| 6 to 8-cylinder Fishing Vessel | ₹10,00,000 |
| Gill Nets | ₹50,000 |
| Rampon Nets | ₹1,00,000 |
| Trawl Net | ₹50,000 |
| Purseine Net | ₹5,00,000 |
Eligibility
To get this support, you must meet the following conditions:
- You should be an active fisherman.
- You should have been contributing to the Fishermen Corpus Relief Fund.
- Your non-motorized or motorized canoe and mechanized fishing vessel must be registered with the Department of Fisheries.
- Your equipment, including engines and motors, must have been damaged or lost due to natural events like floods, cyclones, tsunamis, or accidental fire.
- You should not have any outstanding dues or be a defaulter with the Department.
- Your reported loss must be verifiable by the competent authority.
Application Process
Offline Application Process
STEP 1 - Download and print the prescribed application form from the Department of Fisheries website.
STEP 2 - Fill in all required fields accurately, attach a passport-sized photograph, and attach self-attested copies of all necessary documents.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed form to the Department of Fisheries, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, Patto Colony, Panaji, Goa 403 521, or to your local BDO Office or Sub-Office.
Note: You should submit your claim within one week of the incident. For example, if a fisherman suffers damage to his boat on a Tuesday, he should submit his paperwork by the following Tuesday.
Grievance Redressal
If you are unhappy with the service, you can reach out to the Grievance Redressal Officer. Alternatively, you can email your complaint to dir-fish.goa@nic.in, and the team will address it within 30 days.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready for your application:
- Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
- Vessel Registration Certificate
- Updated Fishing License
- Updated Fishing Net License and Netbook
- Biometric or Temporary ID card
- Original Inspection Report of the damaged vessel, engine, or net
- Bank passbook copy with mandate form
- Statement of contribution to the Fishermen Corpus Fund
- Police reports including FIR, Panchanama, and post-mortem report (for death claims)
- Medical certificate and Weather report from the Meteorological Department
- Loss assessment report from an authorized marine surveyor
Note: For death claims, the official report should confirm that the body of the victim remains untraced after one year of the incident.
References
Citizen's Charter | Official Gazette | Download Application Form | Contact Us | Fisheries Schemes and Initiatives Goa 2026
FAQ's
Can I submit a claim after one week?
No, you should submit your claim within one week of the incident along with all necessary photographs and documents.
What is the maximum limit for a 6 to 8-cylinder vessel?
The maximum support is ₹10,00,000, subject to the assessment by an authorized marine surveyor.
Am I eligible if I operated during a ban period?
No, if you operate mechanized vessels with trawl-nets during a government-declared ban period, you become ineligible for this relief.
Where do I register a complaint?
You can contact the Department's Grievance Redressal Officer or email dir-fish.goa@nic.in.
How can I reach the Fisheries Department?
You can reach them via phone at (O) 2224838 or (Dir) 2227780, fax at (0832)2231049, or visit their website at www.fisheries.goa.gov.in.
What types of calamities are covered?
The scheme covers disasters such as floods, cyclones, tsunamis, and accidental fires.
Does this scheme charge an application fee?
No, the application process is completely free of charge.
What disqualifies a fisherman from this scheme?
Operating during a fishing ban period or being a defaulter of the Department will disqualify you from receiving support.
