Oil deposits along seashore alarm fishermen

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 31: Fishermen are worried about pellets of thick, sticky oil that are being found in increasing quantities along the coastline of Karnataka from Talapady to Byndoor since the past few days. They fear that it might lead to environmental hazards that might seriously affect marine life as well as the health of the people living along the coast. 

 

 

Experts, however, beg to differ by claiming that such a phenomenon is common during the last days of the summer. The rising density of the sea water gives rise to a churning effect that concentrates waste oil deposits in the sea in the form of pellets, which are washed ashore, they say. 

Fishermen say that the quantity of these deposits is higher this year when compared to the last year, adding that deep sea fishermen have witnessed thick, black oil deposits floating on the surface of the sea while they were out fishing. 

Chief Executive Officer of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project said that the fishermen have directed the notice of the government to this phenomenon through DC V. Ponnuraj. The Coast Guard has also been alerted. Fishermen believe that some ships have discharged waste oil into the sea in violation of established legislation. Bykampady has urged the government to instruct the crew of various vessels to strictly adhere to the laws. 

Prabhakar Sharma, the deputy commissioner in-charge of DK, said that the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) and the State Environment Pollution Control Board were urged to take the required steps as soon as the fishermen alerted him regarding this issue. On May 30, Sunday, oil deposits were seen in alarmingly high quantities, forcing the authorities concerned to remind the chief engineer of NMPT and the board officials to look into the matter and submit reports as early as possible, said Mr. Sharma.