It is a huge loss if endangered sea life such as ray fish, the Olive Ridley turtle, saw fish, knife-toothed fish and even dolphins (classified as Schedule I animals under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972) and their prey base are being decimated as a result of destructive fishing using seine nets off the coast of north Andhra Pradesh (‘Framed’ page, “There lies the catch”, August 5). It is disastrous for the biodiversity of India’s oceans and the future of the fishing industry. Is there no authority to monitor the indiscriminate plunder of our sea wealth? This responsibility is vested more with the Wildlife Department as the protection of all schedule species/animals is defined in the Wildlife Act.
B.M.T. Rajeev,
Bengaluru