madurai
In a rare event called algal bloom, the sea has turned green over the past few days in the Gulf of Mannar in Ramanathapuram district – from Pamban to Vedhalai, and from Periyapattinam to Keelakarai.
When thousands of fish were washed ashore, the fishermen became alert. Principal Scientist of the Regional Center of Marine Fisheries Research Institute, R. According to Jayakumar, a green algae is called natulica scintillons Occurs during September and October – the window period between the southwest and northeast monsoons. This rapid increase in algae populations is due to a combination of factors such as increased ocean temperatures and reduced wind conditions. Due to low wind, the algae that thrive on nutrition settle inside the bay area, without stagnant water due to low wind and no scope for dispersal.
The event began 12 to 14 nautical miles off the Rameswaram coast in the Gulf of Mannar and moved to Keelakarai Bay, killing species of fish such as eels, which thrive in coral reefs and never migrate. Other fish species had moved away from algae. Mr. Jayakumar said, “This is not the first time this is happening. This happened in 2018 and since 2018 for three consecutive years. A green and blue inflorescence is seen at night from Keelakarai, near the coast.
“We are coordinating with the Indian Naval Air Station INS Parundu at Uchipuli to study the coast in the Thondi region, and also with the Satellite Applications Center in Ahmedabad to measure the chlorophyll content of the algae. These findings Based on this, we will advise the fishermen involved in cage farming so that they can shift the cages if needed,” Mr. Jayakumar said.
Meanwhile, the Ramanathapuram district administration has started clearing algae from the sea.
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