Tar washes ashore at Surathkal, Baikampady, Kaup

Tar made a reappearance on the beaches at Baikampady, Surathkal and Kaup, among other places, on Tuesday.

With the sticky substance floating ashore, fishermen are worried about the pollution of the sea and its impact on fish resources.

The Baikampady Karavali Moola Meenugarara Sangha has urged the Mangaluru City North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty to take measures to keep the sea and the beaches free from the tar.

The legislator duly visited Baikampady, Surathkal and other areas and interacted with the fishermen.

The fishermen, on the other hand, said, “We have been eking out a living through fishing. The catch has declined over the last few years. The tar has been washing ashore for the last 20 days. We fear a threat to the fish resources in the sea.”

The MLA spoke to Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil and has asked the officer to ask the Coast Guard to collect information on the tar. “I will discuss the matter with the Pollution Control Board officials,” he added.

At Kaup beach

The local residents are worried over tar washing ashore in the Kaup region.

Sticky substance, resembling tar, has been found on the shore since Sunday evening.

Similar tar has washed ashore at Mulooru, Hejamady, Padubidri, Thenka Ermal, Bada Ermal, Polipu, Kaipunjalu, Mattu and Udyavara, giving an oily smell to the entire stretch.

The Kaup tahsildar and the Environment Department officials visited the Ermal and Mulooru seashores on Monday evening.

The tar was found scattered on the beaches and stuck to the feet of people walking on the beaches. Tourists too, therefore, did not like to get into the water.

Sent to lab

Pramila, Environment Department, assistant officer, said, “Discharge of crude oil or waste oil from boats or ships might have resulted in the tar balls being washed ashore. The samples of the tar and the water have both been sent to the Pollution Control Board laboratory in Mangaluru. The exact reason will be known after the results have been received.”

Tahsildar Rashimi said, “The tar spread across the beach will have to be cleaned either using beach cleaning machine or through the gram panchayat.”