Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said the Goa government will examine and take appropriate action on the National Institute of Oceanography's (NIO) findings on cadmium contamination in oysters only after receiving an official report from the institute.

Speaking to reporters, Halarnkar said the government has not yet received any formal communication from the NIO and, therefore, cannot act solely on media reports.

"If the study is that significant, they should send the report to the government. The government will take it seriously, cross-check the findings and take action in the interest of the people," the minister said.

He added that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the State government would not hesitate to act if the report establishes any cognisable issue affecting public health or the environment.

However, Halarnkar clarified that no official report has been submitted to the Fisheries Department so far.

"At present, this is information in the air, published through some media outlets. We have no concern until an official report is submitted," he said.

The minister also recalled a previous controversy involving a Goa University study that had reported the presence of heavy metals in fish collected off Caranzalem beach. He suggested that such findings should first be officially communicated to the government to enable scientific verification before any action is initiated.

Halarnkar reiterated that the government remains committed to safeguarding public health and would thoroughly examine any official scientific findings before deciding on the next course of action.