Puffer fish wreaking havoc Special Correspondent
http://cokmail.spectrum.net.in/webmail/src/webmail.php Shoals of fish damaging nets, causing huge losses to fishermen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fears of mass migration spreading from Kollam to other parts of the coast Fishermen say it is a post-tsunami phenomenon, seek detailed study -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shoals of puffer fish are wreaking havoc off the coast of the State, damaging fishing nets and causing extensive loss to traditional fishermen. Several fishermen have had their nets irreparably damaged by the sharp beak unique to the species. Though the mass migration of the predatory species has been reported mainly from Kollam, fishermen fear it will spread to other parts of the coast in no time. Fishworkers estimate that the loss over the past month will run into lakhs of rupees. "In most cases, the net is torn to shreds and the fisherman is left with no option but to buy a new net, adding another financial burden to his precarious existence," says T. Peter, State president, Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation. "The last time we have had such a severe problem from puffer fish was in 1995 when the entire coast from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod was affected. The Fisheries Department assessed the extent of the damage to be of the order of Rs.16 crore, but there was no effort on the part of the Government to compensate the fishermen," says Mr. Peter. Local fishermen maintain that the mass migration of puffer fish is a post-tsunami phenomenon that has to be studied in detail. They infer that the seabed disturbance caused by the tsunami covered the natural reefs with sand, depriving puffer fish of their natural habitat. This, they assume, leads to mass migration to the coastal waters. Puffer fish is known by several names in local parlance, including 'yaava,' 'petha' and sea frog. It is drawn to the small fish caught in nets. Once it gets entangled in the net, it uses its beak to break free. In the process, the net is often heavily damaged. Scientists aver that the migration of puffer fish to coastal waters is a normal phenomenon. A predatory species, it mostly migrates for food. It is endowed with a sharp beak instead of teeth. The proliferation of puffer fish in the coastal waters has led to tension between fishermen in the past. While one section of fishermen believes that dumping coconut peduncles off the coast will create an artificial reef and a breeding ground for several commercially important species, a rival section feels that the peduncle reefs are primarily responsible for attracting the fish and causing damage to the nets. The simmering tension has led to open hostility, threatening peace in the coastal areas. The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation has called for a scientific study to assess the causes of mass migration of puffer fish. "The Government should come up with steps to mitigate the problems," says Mr. Peter. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
