Tamil Nadu forest department seeks funds to contain seaweed

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has sought funds to control Kappaphycus Alvarezil,a sea weed, proving to be a threat to the corals of Gulf of Mannar.

The sea weed had invaded the 'Coral reef colonies' in Kurusadai, Shingin and Poomarichan Islands off Mandapam coast, officials said, adding,400 colonies had been affected.

The sea weed prevented photosynthesis and the fish population also would be hit if the corals were affected.

Poaching had already destroyed 30 sqkm of coral colonies. Though removing the seaweed completely was not possible, periodical weeding was necessary to save the corals and control their spreading to new areas,they said.

In Hawaii islands the seaweed caused havoc to the coral cover in three years."There is 100% algae cover now instead of coral cover",they said.

The sea weed invasion had been assessed in three islands and assessment was going on in other places.

N.Sundarakumar, Wildlife warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, had said the seaweed threat had been identified only recently and steps were being taken to contain it on a war-footing.