Algal bloom plagues Sindhudurg waters
Locals stated that the fish catch has been reducing at the Vengurla coast where the algal bloom has taken place.
Mumbai: Maharashtra waters have been plagued with algal bloom at parts of Sindhudurg district’s coastline. Fishermen of Sindhudurg have stated that the occurrence of algal bloom, which is high in intensity, has resulted in low fish catch by 70 per cent.
Algal bloom is the mass accumulation of algae population in freshwater or marine waters, which can be recognised by discolouration of water due to pigmentation. Although it is a seasonal phenomenon, which occurs mostly during the Monsoon, the seawater in Sindhudurg district has been showing the bloom in extremely high intensity. Extremely greenish water has been witnessed at the Malvan and Vengurla coastline since last week.
During the night, waves glow with bright blue-green colour due to the bloom. Marine researcher Swapnil Tandel, who has been studying natural phenomena in the waters of Sindhudurg along with WTI and Rufford Foundation stated that while the algae bloom may look visually appealing especially due to its bioluminescent occurrence, it proves dangerous for the fish movement in the particular location.
“Algae bloom usually occurs in water that has a high-nutrient level and it feeds on fish eggs and other dinoflagellates that feed on plankton. Water with algae bloom has a foul smell and it keeps away fish, given it consumes oxygen from the surface. This could severely affect the aquatic life there,” said Mr Tandel.
Locals stated that the fish catch has been reducing at the Vengurla coast where the algal bloom has taken place.