Oil spill from cargo ship could have lasting consequences for fisheries, says CMFRI chief
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Oil spill from cargo ship could have lasting consequences for fisheries, says CMFRI chief
Results of possible oil and other contamination in water samples from the Alappuzha and Kollam coasts will be known by Wednesday or Thursday. The stakeholders concerned have been advised to spread awareness on the need to desist from fishing, 20 nautical miles (around 38 km) into the sea from vulnerable parts of the State’s coastline. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute said that its ecological and economic impact would depend on the scale of leakage and how its spread was contained.
Water samples collected on Monday will be closely analysed during this time span. In addition, the stakeholders concerned have been advised to spread awareness on the need to desist from fishing, 20 nautical miles (around 38 km) into the sea from vulnerable parts of the State’s coastline, they added.
Ecological impact
As regards oil spill in the Arabian Sea, sources in the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) said that its ecological and economic impact would depend on the scale of leakage and how its spread was contained. “Oil smothering could threaten sensitive marine species and disrupt fishing activities, particularly affecting artisanal fishers in coastal regions. If the spill spreads, it may harm marine productivity, especially during the monsoon, a critical period for pelagic fish breeding and growth. This could have lasting consequences for fisheries. The monsoon season typically supports high marine productivity, and we had anticipated a strong fishing season,” said CMFRI Director Grinson George.
The institute would conduct field surveys, collect samples, and track the movement of the spill to evaluate its ecological effects, he added.
Meanwhile, Hibi Eden, MP, has demanded that the consultative committee for shipping take urgent steps to speed up salvaging and also pollution containment, following the sinking of the vessel. He further apprised Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Water Transport Sarbananda Sonowal of the need to adhere to safety norms in cargo vessels to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. “The Minister said that both the Indian Coast Guard [ICG] and the Director General of Shipping are closely monitoring the situation,” Mr. Eden said.
Sekhar L. Kuriakose, Member Secretary of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), reaffirmed that people must keep a minimum 200-metre distance from the containers and other objects that have washed ashore from the vessel.
The authority is supporting salvaging operations by arranging trailers and other infrastructure to safely ferry containers and other items that are being washed ashore, it is learnt.