M. Vijesh (31), a fisherman from Kasimedu, does not understand why his catch is dwindling every year.
He has been going out to sea for nearly 15 years now, and he still has no answer for it. Similar is the condition of Desingu, another fisherman from the same area.
On Tuesday, they learnt protecting a group of marine resources would help them increase their catch.
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TREE Foundation, the State fisheries department and the Coastal Security Group jointly organised an awareness programme for mechanised boat owners association at Kasimedu fishing harbour, on protecting marine resources.
Supraja Dharini of TREE Foundation, an organisation involved in sea turtle conservation, explained to the fishermen the connection between fish and sea turtles.
She said a large number of fish feed on algae found on the turtle’s shell. Turtles also bring nutrients to the sandy shores of a beach when they come to lay eggs. So, schools of fish always follow sea turtles and that is why most of the time, when fishing nets are spread on the waters, turtles get entangled in them and are washed ashore, she said.
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The turtle nesting season this year began on a sad note with nearly 125 Olive Ridley deaths from December 14, 2014, to January 13, 2015, said Ms. Dharini.
A demonstration on the use of turtle-excluding devices will be held next Tuesday.
The mechanised boat owners association has agreed to use them to protect the sea turtles.