Plastic pellets and container drift to Kanniyakumari shores after shipwreck; activists raise concerns
Following the discovery of several bags of tiny plastic pellets along the shores of coastal villages in the Western part of Kanniyakumari district on Wednesday (May 28), a container from the sunken Liberian ship was found washed ashore between the the shores of Kodimunai and Vaniyakudi on Thursday.
The Liberian cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3, which departed from Vizhinjam harbour, sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday. Initially, the containers and cargo from the ship began washing ashore along the coastline of Kerala. However, since Wednesday, due to ocean currents and monsoon winds, the containers and cargos are being eventually drifted towards the waters of Kanniyakumari.
As part of the unfolding situation, a container was found washed ashore between the coastal villages Kodimunai and Vaniyakudi near Colachel.
Speaking to The Hindu, Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena said, 'The information has been reported and an expert team from the shipping company in Gujarat is on its way to recover the drifted item from the shore.' She added that officials from the Revenue Department and Police department have been deployed for the security of the container.
Ms. Alagumeena noted that the efforts to clear the plastic pellets along the coastal areas had been continuing for the second consecutive day.
Meanwhile, fishermen and activists had raised their concerns about the scattered plastic pellets along the coastal areas of Kanniykaumari and the submerged containers drifting in the sea.
Fr. Churchill from South Asian Fishermen Fraternity highlighted the threat posed by submerged containers which could damage the fishing nets and boats during fishing activities. Additionally, since these containers might float in the sea at night, Mr. Churchill noted the heightened risk of collision, causing significant damage or even the sinking of fishing boats.
Another activist Justin Antony stressed the need for urgent war-footing measures to clean up the plastic pellets along the shoreline. He pointed out that the livelihood of at least three fishermen families often depends on a single country boat, and urged the authorities to take immediate action to remove the submerged containers in the waters of Kanniyakumari.
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