Algal blooms, marine pollution grave issues
Algal blooms expansion responsible for economic losses of around $100 mn a year.
Kochi: Sounding a warning on the rising pollution in the Indian Ocean, delegates at the ongoing regional workshop on fisheries management, said it was seriously affecting marine life.
Dr. N. R. Menon, emeritus professor, Cusat and co- chairman, NERCI, said the spread of algal blooms in the ocean was of serious concern for the economies of the countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
“The expansion of harmful algal blooms during the past 25 years is responsible for economic losses of around 100 million dollars a year,” he said addressing the workshop jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) here on Wednesday.
Dr. N. Chandra-mohanakumar, professor, Department of Chemical Oceanography, Cusat, warned that pollution could lead to destruction of habitat, and harm water quality through bacteriological and viral contamination.
“Sources of water pollution include sewage treatment plants, industrial plants, animal feedlots and others,” he noted, suggesting that intensifying aquaculture in protected water bodies could help preserve fish resources now under threat from pollution.