Date:03/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/03/stories/2005010310720400.htm

Tamil Nadu

`Tsunami has not affected marine life'

By A.V. Ragunathan

CUDDALORE, JAN. 2. Preliminary studies have shown that the tsunami has wrought havoc only on terrestrial areas and not in the deep sea. All along the eastern coast, there is no report of washing ashore of marine organisms, including fish, dolphins, sharks or whales, according to T. Balasubramanian, Director, Centre for Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Portonovo.

Mr. Balasubramanian told The Hindu that it was surprising to note that even at the points where the shoals of fish were found in abundance, no loss could be noticed. Nor was there any abnormal migration of sea animals on the surface, and this indicated that in the bowels of the sea, the marine life was safe and active.

The mystery of the sea or ocean was that it would never retain any dead bodies or carcasses for more than 24 hours, and would automatically spew them and wash them ashore. But in the tsunami-hit areas, nothing of the sort was noticed and therefore, it could be presumed that the marine life had not suffered damage.

Asked whether it would be safe to consume sea fish and lobsters, Mr. Balasubramanian said there would be no harm, because on-land viruses and bacteria would not survive in saline water. Tere existed a natural immune system in the ocean.

On whether the marine animals could sense an impending disaster, he said no specific study had been done so far, but going by the popular perception in the case of birds and animals, it could be presumed that whenever there was disturbance in the seabed or in the flow of sea currents, the marine animals would become alert and swim to safer places.

Boost to fish population

The Director noted that there was a silver lining in the disaster too, as it would help in the prolific propagation of marine life. Mr. Balasubramanian said when the sea was churned, the nutrient-rich bottom soil got spread over a wider area, thus becoming a good breeding ground for marine animals.

Therefore, in the aftermath of tsunami, there was a possibility of fish population going up. It was also a blessing in disguise for his Centre, as the huge waves had opened up the Vellar estuary to a length of 50 ft, facilitating free movement of marine life in and around Portonovo.