Purathur: The searing summer heat is likely taking a toll on the marine life as hundreds of dead fish washed up on the beaches here in Malappuram district of north Kerala. Last month, two dolphins and three sea turtles were found dead, and the local people buried the carcasses after rotten smell emanated from them.
The beach cleaning staff said that hundreds of dead fish are found on the beaches. The mass fish deaths were reported to the authorities concerned.
Heat pushing fish to deep sea
The local fishers said that they had to suspend their fishing activities as the blistering heat was forcing schools of fish to move towards deep sea from areas near land which has warmed up considerably as summer commenced. Even those using large fibre fishing boats can't net a profitable catch. Fish such as squid, prawns, mackerel, sardines and soles, which are usually caught during summer, are also very scarce these days.
Extreme heat has made fishing in the sea an uphill task for the fishermen. Fearing sunstroke, the fishers now go to sea early in the morning and return before the mercury rises.
Meanwhile, those who were fishing in shallow waters near to the shore have also suspended their work. The fishermen staying between Purathur Padinjarekara and Kuttayi have stopped fishing a few weeks ago and are now doing odd jobs to make ends meet.
