'Fish species are facing danger of extinction'

Concern expressed over the future of marine life

Addressing at a national-seminar on ‘Indian marine fisheries - sustainability at Cross Roads’ organised by the College of Fisheries, Mangalore and College of Fisheries Alumni Association (COFAA) at the college campus near here on Tuesday, Rao said, “unless we address the issues and challenges, it is very difficult to make marine fisheries sustainable.” Encroachment of environment, pollution by industries and overfishing too causes damages to the marine ecology, he said adding that efforts should be made in this direction to make the ecology healthy.

In this scenario, the sustainability of marine fisheries becomes a challenge before the nation, he said adding that solutions should be sought by managing the natural resources in proper manner.

Delivering the inaugural address, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) Board of Management member Monappa Karkera said that while India continue to adopt modern technology, developed nations are seen exploring possibilities in ancient Indian agriculture methods. Science may advance day-by-day. But nature is above everything, he said adding that people can never go against the nature.
“Now we are living in an era of awareness on climate and environment. If we do injustice to nature, we will have to suffer for the mistake committed by us in future,” Karkera opined.

Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZL) chief operating officer A G Pai said that it is time to think of whether devastation might occur due to industrialisation or not. It is unfortunate that people follow Westerners blindly, he lamented.

He said that the fundamental cause for destruction is nothing but man’s greed. “Debates should continue for a sustainable development,” he added.

Delivering the key-note address, College of Fisheries professor and COFAA secretary H R V Reddy said that the nation needs to increase fish production to find solution to the food shortage issue. The marine fisheries sector in India has registered a spectacular growth during the last five decades. The nation, which was producing about 0.50 million tonnes of fisheries during the early 1950s, has produced 3.3 million tons in 2007-08, he added.  College of Fisheries Dean (Fisheries) Dr Y Basavaraju presided. Fish Processing Technology Department professor Dr B A Shamasundar and Aquaculture Department head Prof K M Shankar were present.