By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

The State government has taken steps to allay the fears of the fishermen community in the wake of the sinking of MSC Elsa-3 off the coast of Kerala on May 24, Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has said.

Replying to a calling attention motion in the Assembly here on Monday, Mr. Cherian said the government had taken proactive steps to recover compensation from the shipping company for the damage it caused to the marine ecosystem.

The presence of large quantities of plastic nurdles, disintegrated cotton balls and other debris from the shipwreck had become a major concern. It was being monitored whether the presence of cargo or oil residues from the containers would have any serious impact on the ecosystem. A report by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), which conducted an initial study, indicated that continuous monitoring is required to assess the extent of oil residues from fuel and other waste.

A Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) study report stated that all the fish samples collected from the affected region were edible, none of the fish samples had unpleasant smell or taste, and the pH, salinity and conductivity of the water samples were within the normal range. However, as per a study by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), 70% shrinkage of mackerel eggs collected from a depth of 10 m near Kollam indicated that the lime contained in some containers may have altered the pH and alkalinity of the nearby coastal waters.

Special team formed

Following this, the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, was given the charge as Principal Adviser to the Department of Environment to provide directives on pollution control and environmental restoration activities. A special team comprising experts from the departments of Fisheries, Tourism, Harbour Engineering, Ports, Water Resources, Local Self-Government, Health and Family Welfare, Forestry, Agriculture, Revenue and Disaster Management, and the State Pollution Control Board has been formed and tasked with coordinating interventions at the field level. In addition, drone surveys have been conducted to map pollution, and volunteers have been deployed to clean the coast.

Arrangements have been made to study the potential damage caused by oil spillage from MSC Elsa 3. The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been asked to conduct a study to assess the environmental damage caused by the shipwreck and to conduct a long-term study, the Minister said.

As a result of the government action, the interim order by the Kerala High Court directed the shipping company to deposit a security amount of ₹1,227.62 crore. In addition, a criminal case has also been charged against the shipping company under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), said the Minister.