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Poisonous moss causes death of fish in Gulf of Mannar

Poisonous moss causes death of fish in Gulf of Mannar

(From chennaionline.com) Rameswaram, India- The spread of noctiluca, a marine moss poisonous for aquatic life due to drastic reduction of oxygen levels, has resulted in the death of a large number of fish and other fauna in Gulf of Mannar (GOM) in the past few days, officials here said.

The low levels of oxygen was attributed to blooming of dinoflagellate (Noctiluca Scintillans), a minute marine species, and outbreak of “red tide” phenomenon which discoloured the sea surface.

Blooming of noctiluca was a rare phenomenon in tropical countries like India and how it bloomed and spread in GOM and the extent of damage would be known only after a study, V K Melkani, Director and Chief Conservator of Forest (GOMBRT) said.

Previous studies conducted in the waters of the Gulf of Mannar had revealed that low levels of oxygen was causing mass death of fish there.

However, officials said a fresh study conducted during the past two days showed that oxygen level in GoM had improved, and hoped the level would be normal due to the recent heavy rains.

The scientist said noctiluca, a marine moss, was poisonous for fish. It had bloomed in the lagoons around some islands, and had spread due to change in water current.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute officials said marine species, including surgeon fish, rabbit fish, lizard fish, tiger fish, some sea turtles, sea cucumber, sea anemones had died in large numbers.

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) would continue to study the oxygen levels. The first part of report had been submitted to the government. (Agencies)

 

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