SL’s ornamental fish industry reports extinction of endemic species and emaciation after X-Press Pearl maritime disaster

Date:

Colombo (LNW): After the tragic X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, Sri Lanka’s ornamental fish exporters asserted that numerous endemic marine ornamental fish species have become extinct, and small fish varieties are emaciated.

The above information was disclosed by MP Ajith Mannapperuma, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development.

The emaciation effect is still apparent in the sea, making the identification and procurement of small fish species challenging, Daily Mirror reported citing Mannapperuma.

Additionally, forage fish varieties like sprats have suffered emaciation, and carcasses of large fish species and turtles have washed ashore.

The sea’s condition has not returned to normal, and the colour diversity of ornamental fish is severely damaged due to toxic waste from the ship.

Despite Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) claims of fuel removal, persistent fuel patches on the sea surface are reported in the area where the ship sank.

Fishermen have expressed difficulties finding fish in the affected sea areas, prompting calls for an annual assessment of fish harvests post-tragedy and ongoing monitoring to address reductions in fish populations.

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

Shasheendra Rajapaksa Arrested

Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been arrested by...

China Advised NPP to Hold Power for 15–20 Years to Achieve Real Change – Tilvin Silva

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva revealed...

Outgoing Australian High Commissioner Bids Farewell to Prime Minister

Outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens,...

Sri Lanka Reaffirms Commitment to Children’s Rights in Meeting with New UNICEF Representative

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding children’s...