Fishermen hit hard by oil spill

Oil spill on the beaches of south Gujarat has not just proved to be fatal to nature, but it has affected the fisherman community. The oil spill has resulted in death of fishes affecting the community which depends largely on fishing in the area.

This time of the year is generally good for fishing and fishermen make the most of it during the season. Villages such as Magod Dungri, Kosamba and Hingraj in Valsad district, while Umarsadi, Borsi Machhiwad and other villages in Navsari district have been the worst hit due to the spill.

With lack of employment options, the villagers depend on fishing for their livelihood. This year, the hopes have been shattered for them who were ready for a big catch this season.

"Small-scale fishermen do not have boats to catch fish by going deeper into the sea, so they rely on the catch within 500 metre from the coast. During high tides, it is easier to catch fish and a fisherman can make about Rs300-Rs500 per day. But due to the spill, most of the fishes have died and we have to settle for less. Ten days have passed after the spill, but have not yet started fishing activity due to fewer fishes in the net," says Narendra Tandel, a local fisherman of Kosamba village.

Tandel added that the villages might suffer a loss of at least Rs50 lakh due to the spill.
A villager adds that the spill might have also affected largely some species of fishes which are on the verge of extinction.

Fishes such as Bombay Duck, Mud Fish (Levta), Local Crab and other species are also not to be seen after the oil spill on the shores.

"Bombay Duck (Boomla), Crabs and Mud Fish were the best source for fishing activity in south Gujarat due to their availability in large numbers. But the oil deposits on the beach have largely affected all these types of fishes. Since last few days, we have not been finding crabs in large numbers in the nets," says Nanu Tandel, another fisherman of Magod Dungri village.