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Jelly fish bloom: Danger for fish population in the future

Problem intensifying along the state’s coast

Kundapur: The number jellyfish which are of no use are rising in numbers on this side of the Arabian sea and since the aquatic species survives on baby fishes, successive generations of fish are facing mortal danger. There is a fear that a jelly fish bloom will effectively decimate other fish species.

The jellyfish are causing much trouble for fishing along the state’s coast. Jellyfish weighing tonnes together is getting caught in the fishnets laid by fishermen and coming in contact with the fish causes itching. Because of this, the fishermen are returning from the middle itself.

What is a jelly fish?

Although jellyfish are attractive to look at, they are quite dangerous. However, it has numerous tentacles which have stings, when on contact, sting and release chemicals into the body of the victim causing much pain and itching. There are a variety of jelly fish of which, 5 are considered to be deadly.

Drop in sea turtles

The scientists of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Mangaluru have conducted a research in this concern and have found that the destruction of sea turtles and tuna fish has led to the jelly fish bloom. In other words, since the natural predators of the jelly fish are getting killed due to over fishing, the jelly fish which possess an amazing gift for reproduction are multiplying without check. Along with the deep sea trawlers indulging in over-the-limit fishing, the plastic garbage reaching the sea, rise in sea water acidity, temperature and other reasons are also giving support to the jelly fish bloom. Incidentally, plastic garbage provides an environment conducive for the development of jelly fish eggs.

What is the problem due to this?

The jelly fish problem is so bad that fishermen going on fishing expeditions end up catching more than 20 tonnes of jelly fish with 400 meters. This drastically decreases the chances of other fish getting stuck in the net. Besides, fishing is also getting reduced due to the fear of getting stung by jelly fish.

Danger for fish population

The jelly fish bloom which was earlier being witnessed in Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean has now started from Mangaluru and spread till Karwar and is increasing along the state’s coast. This sudden bloom has nearly stopped fishing along Namibia, Japan and eastern European countries as the jelly fish has destroyed other fish species there. A few years back, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga in Maharashtra had stopped fishing due to jelly fish bloom. Hence, the possibility cannot be denied that there is a danger from jelly fish being faced by successive generation of fishes along the state’s coast in the coming future– Dr|J B Purushottam, Scientist, CMFRI Mangaluru

Fishing hampered

Since the commencing of the fishing cycle, the jelly fish numbers have increased from August second week. Normally, this problem exists until the end of Navaratri. More than 20 tonnes of this fish is getting caught only in a single fishing expedition. This has hampered fishing by half. Two years ago, chemicals were sprayed from a helicopter of the coast of Chennai to destroy the jelly fish. Here too, the government needs to take similar action – Sanjeeva Kharvi Maravanthe, Fishermen