Is Kerala's Seafood Still Safe? What We Know After Cargo Vessel Sinks Off Coast
The MSC ELSA 3 was carrying 13 hazardous containers, 12 containers of calcium carbide, 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil.
The sinking of the Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, on May 25 has raised alarms among local residents. The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 holding hazardous cargo. While authorities have assured that no spill has been reported so far, growing concerns linger over the potential threat to marine life and the seafood supply that sustains many in the region.
The state government has declared the incident a state-specific disaster after taking into account the potentially serious environmental, social and economic impact, the Hindu reported.
As concerns grow, here's a quick explainer on what happened, how authorities are responding, and whether any impact has been observed on seafood in the region.
What Happened To The MSC ELSA 3?
The 28-year-old vessel was en route to Kochi from Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram when it capsized approximately 25 km southwest of Alappuzha on May 25. All 24 crew members onboard were safely rescued. The ship is owned by Cyprus-based MSC Shipmanagement.
The Indian Coast Guard's 'swift action" helped avoid a major oil spill from the capsized container ship, officials of the Directorate General of Shipping stated on Wednesday.
What Was Onboard The MSC ELSA 3?
Apart from 13 hazardous containers, the ship was carrying 12 containers of calcium carbide, 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil.
Officials have ruled out a major spill. However, Dr T.M. Balakrishnan Nair, the director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), confirmed that there were traces of oil along the Alappuzha coast, Indian Express reported. Nair stated that authorities did not expect 'a massive oil slick" since most of the fuel was contained.
Earlier, a simulation by the agency indicated that if all the diesel and furnace oil from the ship were to leak into the sea, there was a high possibility that it would drift towards the Kerala coast.
Clean Up Process
The authorities have deployed clean-up vessels. Aerial surveillance is being conducted to track the spread of pollutants alongside the coast. A total of 108 personnel have been tasked with container recovery and cleanup onshore.
The top priorities for the authorities include recovering the oil, removing containers that have washed up on beaches and retrieving the containers adrift at sea. They have set a deadline of July 3 for completing the oil recovery efforts.
Is It Safe To Consume Seafood In The Region?
As of right now, authorities have advised people that there is no reason to panic.
The State Fisheries Department and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) are actively monitoring the situation for any signs of contamination. Regular water sampling is underway, and authorities are closely tracking any signs of contamination.
State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian told the Indian Express, 'Nothing hazardous has so far landed along the coast and fish can be consumed without fear."
CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George explained to Mathrubhumi News that there was no reason to avoid eating seafood presently, as fishing is currently banned in the immediate vicinity of the wreck. This means that fish from the affected area are not being sold in the market. He added that a clearer picture of the impact will emerge soon as analysis is underway.
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