It was an ideal nesting ground for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles
Over-fishing and use of banned nets by fishing vessels has created adverse effects on the fish population along the TN coastline. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: The presence of the dreaded LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran helped us to conserve the southern part of the Indian Ocean and its rich marine life in the Gulf of Mannar adjacent to Sri Lanka. Till his death, marine mammals had a safe habitat as the ocean enjoyed high patrolling by police and other security agencies, said principal chief conservator of forests and TN chief wildlife warden V.K. Melkhani on Friday.
Addressing a group of young officers from the Indian Coast Guard, forest, fisheries and police departments at Mission Sea Turtle, a day long event on sensitising young officers in curbing poaching and regulating fishing practices, he pointed out that TN, during the early 1980s was an ideal nesting ground for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, second only to Odisha.
Over-fishing and use of banned nets by fishing vessels has created adverse effects on the fish population along the TN coastline. The irony is that juvenile marine organisms trapped in the trawlers end up as fishing residue and 40 per cent of the residue is converted into poultry feed catering to private farms in Namakkal and Rasipuram, he said.
Responding to the stake holders and conservationists, forest secretary Hansraj Verma said, “Soon a high level meeting will be held with the ministers of fisheries and forest to chalk out an action plan in controlling commercial exploitation and suitable formal structures with legal backing will be in place to regulate fishing practices.”
“The migration of turtles has begun early this season and volunteers have started identifying the nesting grounds. To spread awareness on turtle nesting, a float has been flagged off and will visit schools and villages in Chennai and Kancheepuram,” said marine conservationist Supraja Dharini of Tree Foundation.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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