Seaweed – Strong Winds Disrupt Fishing Operations Along Thoothukudi Coast
Seaweed – Fishermen in and around the coastal areas of Thoothukudi are dealing with another setback as large quantities of seaweed continue to wash into the sea and accumulate along the shoreline. The unusual increase in marine vegetation has disrupted regular fishing activity, leaving many fishermen with significantly smaller catches and reduced daily earnings.
Nets Filled With Seaweed Instead of Fish
According to local fishermen, the situation has worsened over the past few days as winds over the sea have become stronger. Fishing boats heading into coastal waters are returning with nets heavily loaded with seaweed rather than fish.
The dense vegetation becomes difficult to pull from the water because of its sheer volume and weight. Fishermen have to spend additional time clearing their nets, while the effort involved in hauling them back places further strain on their fishing equipment.
The problem has also affected the quantity of fish that fishermen are able to bring back each day. With a substantial portion of their nets occupied by seaweed, the space and opportunity available for catching fish are reduced, resulting in a noticeable decline in their income.
Heavy Seaweed Also Damaging Fishing Nets
Fishermen said the problem is not limited to a fall in the day’s catch. The weight of the seaweed caught in the nets can put considerable pressure on the fishing gear.
In some cases, the additional strain has reportedly caused nets to tear or suffer damage. Repairing or replacing damaged fishing equipment adds another expense for fishermen who are already struggling because of difficult sea conditions and inconsistent fishing activity.
The combination of rough seas, strong winds and large quantities of seaweed has therefore created additional challenges for the coastal fishing community.
Strong Winds Push Marine Vegetation Towards Shore
Local fishermen believe the strong winds prevailing over the sea are mainly responsible for the sudden movement of large amounts of seaweed towards the coast.
During seasonal changes and monsoon periods, stronger winds can increase wave activity and disturb floating or loosely attached marine vegetation. The movement of surface water can then carry the vegetation towards shallow coastal areas, where it eventually reaches fishing grounds and the shoreline.
For fishermen operating close to the coast, the accumulation of seaweed can make routine fishing operations more difficult and time-consuming.
Fishing Halted for Three Days During Basilica Festival
The fishing community in Thoothukudi had already planned a temporary break from fishing earlier this week. Mechanised boat fishermen decided not to venture into the sea for three days from Tuesday in connection with the 444th annual festival of the Our Lady of Snows Basilica, a prominent Roman Catholic shrine in the city.
The fishermen observed the break on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to take part in the festival and offer prayers.
As a result, hundreds of mechanised fishing boats remained anchored at Thoothukudi Fishing Harbour during the three-day period. The temporary suspension of fishing came at a time when the coastal community was already facing difficult sea conditions.
With strong winds continuing to affect the coast and seaweed hampering fishing operations, fishermen are concerned about further pressure on their earnings and equipment. The impact is particularly significant for those who depend on their daily catch to support their households.