Marine Biosphere Lookout

The Marine Biosphere Lookout project is an active initiative created to keep an active watch on the happening in our region. While we train & participate in a variety of aquatic activities on a daily basis as active stakeholders our team keeps a vigil on the beaches in the vicinity. This project has now spread to a variety of villages in the region & the reporting structure is growing everyday.

17th December 2018 | Green Turtle: Live but tired | Pirapanvalasai Beach, Palkbay, Tamil Nadu

  • Green Turtle was found struggling in the Palkbay at 11:15 AM

  • One examination the turtle had old healed wound from front left limb missing (suspected propellor impact all over shell)

  • Suspected “Floating Syndrome” & exhaustion due to rough weather in cyclone

  • Forest Department was alerted & responded immediately

  • Turtle was given care & relocated to calmer safe waters at Nochurni, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere, Tamil Nadu

  • Forest Department installed a watchman to keep visual of the turtle

  • Follow up was conducted by our team the next day.

Bottom Trawling near shoreline for Sea Cucumber | Irumeni to Aryaman beach, Palkbay, Tamil Nadu, India

  • Consistent illegal bottom trawling activity near shoreline (50 feet) for sea cucumber

  • Destruction of Sea Grass beds & complete mining of corals, shells, shanks & marine life

  • Trawling activity is not permitted within 2nm of the shoreline in the district

  • Fine bottom trawling nets are banned

  • Sea cucumber trading is banned

  • Predominant trawlers from Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, India

  • Regular reporting to Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department with photographic evidence

  • Fisheries department responds immediately by sending officials to site

  • Officials are unable to spot the registration numbers of trawlers from shore

  • Officials require Binoculars/telescope to spot registration numbers of trawlers

  • Officials require handheld VHF radios to communicate with trawlers when spotted

  • There are no quick response boats/watercraft available to ward off the trawlers

  • Citizens watch required along shoreline

  • Hotline number to call/Whatsapp/email photographs of illegal trawling

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