Latest news with #CentralMarineFisheriesResearchInstitute
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CMFRI to study eco impact of sunken Liberia-flagged vessel
Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV), Sagar Sampada, operated by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute here will carry out an expedition to investigate the potential ecological and biogeochemical impacts caused by the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 that sank 38 km southwest off the Kochi coast on May 24. A team of scientists at the CMFRI will collect samples from 16 research stations spaced 10 nautical miles apart, providing a zonal coverage of the region surrounding the sunken vessel. During the 10-day voyage, scientists onboard will monitor the biodiversity, biogeochemical parameters, regional hydrography, as well as ocean currents using the advanced instruments. The team will record their observations on plankton, fish eggs and larva by operating various sampling gears. Sediment sample will be collected to access the impact on seabed communities. High-end acoustic systems such as long-range Sonar-SX 90, multiple frequency split beam echo sounder, big eye camera will aid in mapping the area and to identify the changes in marine life due to oil spillage. The study will help to demonstrate the extent of damage caused by the shipwreck to the marine environment particularly during the monsoon season which is considered as the spawning period of economically imported fishes, according to the release.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
CMFRI study to assess environmental impact of shipwreck off Kochi coast
Kochi: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a study to assess the changes in the marine environment following the shipwreck of the vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kochi. CMFRI, which is based on Kochi, is the country's premier institute for research in marine fisheries. The study is currently being conducted by four-member teams in the coastal areas of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts. CMFRI officials said that their teams are collecting water, phytoplankton, and sediment samples from 10 stations in these districts at regular intervals for the investigation. They are examining water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen content, pH, and nutrients. The presence of oil and grease in the water and soil is also being studied to detect any potential oil spill. Benthic organisms in the coastal soil are also being collected and tested. Although an on-board survey was initiated, sampling from in and around the accident site was not possible due to adverse weather conditions. This will be undertaken once the conditions improve in the coming days. Ongoing adverse weather has also prevented the testing of fish samples, as fishing activities are currently not possible. Benthic organisms in the sea will also be collected using grabs for analysis. CMFRI director Grinson George said that the study aims to understand various types of marine pollution associated with the shipwreck. They will formulate guidelines for future management measures based on the output of the study, which will be provided to relevant agencies, he added. He mentioned that the monsoon period is a critical breeding time for pelagic fishes, and it could have lasting consequences depending on the amount of leakage that occurred from the cargo. CMFRI officials said that marine species are sensitive to oil smothering as the oil can block the breathing of fishes when it gets attached to the gills. "The bigger species will move away while several others can go deeper. But the surface-level species will be impacted."
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
CMFRI launches study to assess marine impact of MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck
KOCHI: The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a study to assess the impact of the shipwreck on the marine environment. The ship, MSC Elsa 3, which carried hazardous cargo, sank around 38 nautical miles off Kochi on May teams of scientists from the CMFRI have been deployed in the districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram as part of the study. The teams are collecting water, phytoplankton and sediment samples from 10 stations in each district at regular intervals for the investigation. Water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen content, pH, nutrients, etc., are being studied. The presence of oil and grease in the water and soil is also being monitored to detect any potential oil spill. Benthic organisms in the coastal soil are also being collected and tested. Although an on-board survey was initiated, sampling from in and around the accident site was not possible due to adverse weather conditions. This will be undertaken once the conditions improve in the coming days. Ongoing adverse weather has also prevented testing of fish samples, as fishing activities are currently not possible. Benthic organisms in the sea will also be collected using grabs for analysis. 'The study aims to understand various types of marine pollution associated with the shipwreck. Guidelines for future management measures will be decided based on the findings and will be provided to relevant agencies,' said director Grinson George.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Scale of damage depends on spill size
Kochi: The sinking of the container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kochi coast in the Arabian Sea is likely to have significant ecological consequences, raising concerns among marine experts over potential damage to coastal ecosystems and fishing livelihoods. The ship went down with 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT diesel and 367.1 MT furnace oil—substances that can impact marine environments if leaked. According to Dr Grinson George, director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), the full scale of the environmental damage depends on the extent of the leakage and the ability to contain its spread. "Oil smothering could threaten sensitive marine species and disrupt fishing activities, especially for artisanal fishers in coastal areas," George said. "If the spill spreads, it could affect marine productivity during the monsoon—a critical breeding and growth season for pelagic fish. This could have long-lasting repercussions for the region's fisheries." He added that the monsoon period typically supports high marine productivity, and the spill may derail what was expected to be a promising fishing season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo CMFRI has initiated plans to assess the ecological impact through field surveys, sample collection and tracking the movement of the spill to determine its effects on marine systems. Drawing a comparison, George cited a recent study on the long-term impact of a very low sulfur fuel oil spill from a ship, which ran aground off the coast of Mauritius in July 2020. Published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, the study revealed ongoing contamination in sediment samples collected as recently as March 2023. The study found that VLSFO had weathered over time through natural processes like biodegradation but continued to persist in the mangrove ecosystem. It noted that some mangrove species are more tolerant of oil, allowing them to recolonize affected areas, but once has entered the mangrove system, it would almost certainly cause more harmful effects to attempt to remove it.
Mint
27-05-2025
- General
- Mint
Toxic spill: Clean up first, invoke the law later
In the early hours of Sunday, a cargo ship capsized and sank off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, spelling trouble for a vast coastal stretch. Apart from over 84 tonnes of diesel and more than 367 tonnes of furnace oil, the Liberian-flagged vessel was carrying over 640 containers, many full of hazardous cargo. Also Read: The real significance of Kerala's – and India's – first water budget Alarmingly, a dozen had calcium carbide, which reacts with water to release acetylene, a highly flammable gas that puts marine life at harsh risks. The ship sank about 70km off Kochi's coast, but flotsam has shown up on the shores of Kollam and Alappuzha. Also Read: Why a bountiful monsoon matters more this year, in five charts A significant oil spill has been confirmed by the Indian Coast Guard and clean-up equipment has been despatched aboard a special ship. Skimmers and oil dispersants are reportedly being used. Also Read: Himanshu: India needs official poverty data for effective policymaking The director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has warned that an oil slick could harm marine productivity, especially during the current breeding season, a crucial period for pelagic fish on which fisherfolk depend for livelihood. Fishing has been banned within a radius of about 37km from where the vessel went down. Clearly, the ecological threat must be tackled first. How the law deals with any damages can come later.
