Kerala shipwreck: Is seafood safe now? What fish to avoid

Two major shipwrecks off the Kerala coast have raised alarm among fishermen and coastal residents. People have been wondering whether it is safe to consume seafood, as these ships had containers with toxic substances. The first shipwreck severely affected seafood sales, while the second one caused panic among fish lovers. Dr. George Ninan, director of the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, explains to Manorama Online whether it is safe to consume seafood after the shipwrecks.

There have been rumours that seafood should not be consumed as the fish may have ingested the oil and other chemical compounds leaked from the freighters. However, Dr. George Ninan dismisses such claims. The authorities tested the fish samples and water in the southern districts and declared them safe for consumption. Besides, the samples from the northern districts are being tested currently. An initial test was conducted after the first shipwreck itself. More than 30 fish samples were tested and declared safe for consumption. Dr. George Ninan says there is no need to panic in the current situation. The tested samples didn’t have the presence of plastic or oil. Dead fish would float on the water's surface during an oil spill. However, no such incidents have been reported until now.

If the fish had been trapped in the spillage, you would find oily residue on its gills and scales. Besides, the fish would reek of oil. If the fish smell like petrol, diesel, kerosene or stale oil, the fish may have been in the spillage. Fish should be discarded if you find injury marks on the fins or if they seem rotten or discoloured. But such things have not been reported anywhere in Kerala until now. So, it is safe to consume seafood.

Such shipwrecks would surely cause long term impact to marine environment. Oil spillage and plastic nodules washing ashore may adversely affect the food chain. So, more studies are required to determine the extent of damage caused by the shipwrecks. However, consuming seafood would not cause any health problems in humans in the current situation.