Scientist predicts fish famine in Goa

Scientist predicts fish famine in Goa
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 3
Experts have predicted a fish famine in Goa in years to come, due to over exploitation of sea, extensive coastal population and global atmospheric changes.
“After 50-odd years, Goa will have to buy fish at a much higher rate, as there will be a shortage of fish both in quality and quantity”, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), scientist Dr Baban Ingole told Herald.
He said Goans would then have to change their taste as per what is available.
“The climatic change and the current fishing methods have resulted in the over-exploitation of marine life such as sardines, prawns and mackerels”, Ingole explained at the sideline of biodiversity awareness programme at Goa University.
“There was a time when Goa used to market fish to neighbouring States, but now there is a change in situation. Large quantity of fish is being exported from Maharashtra”, he said.
Ingole said, as per statistics from the State Fisheries Department, fish catch has shown tremendous growth due to the introduction of mechanised and modern fishing vessels.
Ingole was delivering a lecture on ‘Climatic Change and Marine Biodiversity’ at an awareness programme jointly organised by Department of Botany, Goa University and Goa Union of Journalists.
On the global side, Ingole pointed out that 80 per cent of the world’s fisheries are fully overexploited, depleted or are on the verge of collapse.
“Over fishing and industrial fish harvesting methods are reducing fish stocks and degrading fish habitats, threatening the entire productivity of ocean biodiversity hotspots, making them more vulnerable to climate change”, he maintained.
Apart from these, he said tourism development, declining water quality, warming of ocean; toxic species and dumping of sewerage by industrial units have also affected the fish productivity in the world especially in India.
“Population explosion in India and Goa will continue to put pressure on coastal resources”, the scientist lamented.
“100 meters stretch of Candolim beach has already vanished in less than ten years. If the trend continues, then Goa will lose maximum percentage of its land and population by 2050”, Ingole said.
He also pointed out that along with depleting fish stock, shore birds, sea birds and sea turtles also face an uncertain future.
Ingole explained that more than 25 per cent of the world’s biodiversity is basically due to coral reefs, which are under threat due to climate change. “Rise in water temperature could also lead to burning of sea grass”, he said.
He also raised the fear of sea level rise in Goa, which will destroy large portions of mangrove vegetation. Along with destruction of mangroves, turtle nesting sites too will be destroyed, he added.