'Ghost net' scare looms over Kovalam and Vizhinjam coasts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Concerns have aggravated over 'ghost nets' disrupting the ecosystem of the Kerala coast. Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost, abandoned or thrown away in the sea. Ghost nets are slowly turning to become silent killers of marine life. The study by the CMFRI team, set up by the government to study their effects, is in progress.

This is the initial phase of removing the nets. The pilot project is in the coastal areas of Kovalam and Vizhinjam. The study is being led by Dr Asha PS.

Rs. 10 lakh is being spent on the pilot project. The report will be submitted next April.

1. Microplastic particles from ghost nets enter the food chain through plankton and fish and reach humans

2. Marine life can get entangled in ghost nets

3. Large ghost nets pose a danger to ships and boats

''There is a large presence of ghost nets in the coastal areas of Kovalam and Vizhinjam. Suggestions will be submitted to the government to eliminate them - CMFRI