THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2024
KARSTEN MIRANDA
MARGAO: Recent incidents involving ‘ghost nets’ along Goa’s coastline have sparked renewed concerns for marine wildlife and prompted discussions about potential solutions. These nets that degrade into harmful microplastics, pose a significant threat to sea creatures, particularly turtles.
Multiple turtles were found entangled in ghost nets along South Goa's beaches. At Betalbatim, lifeguards removed a net from a severely injured turtle, now under veterinary care supervised by Forest Department. The animal sustained cuts to its flippers. Another incident at Benaulim resulted in a turtle fatality. The department conducted a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. In Majorda, Olive Ridley hatchling and adult Hawksbill turtle were found stuck in a ‘ghost net’. Lifeguards were able to rescue them, and the department officials took them for treatment and potential release.
Conservationists said that response system is in place for rescues, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of these injuries and deaths.
Experts called for a collaborative effort involving government, local communities, and industry stakeholders to tackle the issue.
A conservationist called for creating financial incentives for fishers to ensure ‘ghost nets’ and damaged nets are not abandoned in the sea.
The eco-warrior suggested implementing proper storage solutions.
Dr Sebastiao Rodrigues, National Council Member of the National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers, identified layers of insensitivity contributing to the proliferation of ghost fishing which include lack of awareness leading to the abandonment of stripped gillnets, conflicts between water sports boats, barges, and fishing vessels resulting in torn nets left in the water, and inadequate waste disposal systems, turning rivers and Arabian Sea into dumping grounds for fishing nets.
Dr Rodrigues pointed out the shift to petrochemical-based net manufacturing, with no responsibility placed on manufacturers for the nets end-of-life disposal, and the role of middlemen involved in selling industrially manufactured fishing nets without accountability for their disposal. He said that addressing these layers of insensitivity is crucial to combating the ‘ghost net’ problem.
The Forest Department’s Wildlife Division has installed a signboard warning about ghost nets in one area of South Goa, with conservationists urging the department to expand this initiative to more sites.
An expert called for a State-wide plan integrating waste management, marine conservation and beach management.
The expert said, “This compartmentalisation of issues creates the gaps.” There should be better coordination between the Fisheries and Forest Departments to create effective schemes.”
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) initiated the collection and recycling of discarded plastic fishing nets on four beaches and expanded the project along the coastline. TERI estimated that approximately 40-50 tonnes of plastic waste from fishing nets are discarded monthly.
Experts say that long-term strategies will address the ghost net problem. A multi-pronged approach involving awareness campaigns, financial incentives, improved waste management systems and stricter regulations on net manufacturing and disposal is necessary to protect marine life.
