Boat race on May 27 to create awareness about marine litter

The marine litter – dominated by plastic, ghost gear (abandoned fishing gear) and packaging material – is proving to be one of the biggest challenges for the authorities across the world. 

To encourage the fishing community to recycling their fishing gear and plastic, a unique initiative by Association of Chennai Thiruvallur District Progressive Fishermen will witness traditional and artisanal fishermen from Kasimedu to Ramanathapuram race fibreglass crafts off the city’s shoreline to win top honours. 

The idea began when the team, consisting Dhayalan, Barani, Vinoth, Saran, Anbu Rose, Dhanasekar, Febin, Srikanth, Senthil and Dilip, conducted a mass clean-up across the beaches of North Chennai on April 28. 

“We found tonnes of plastic and fishing gear, which we recycled. Understanding the importance of creating awareness, we started talking to fishermen in North Chennai and told them that by recycling their discarded gear, they can earn money – around Rs 5 per kg,” said Mohan G, one of the volunteers of the association. 

“All the families will be given a basket to save the discarded nets, which they can sell it to the recycler, who will be in touch with them,” he added. The race will witness close to 80 fishermen from all across Tamil Nadu participate off Elliot’s Beach. 

Each boat will have four fishermen and the final prize will involve cash prizes up to Rs 1 lakh. “Before the event, we will visit the coastal areas and hold awareness sessions before the fisherfolk visit the city for the race,” added Mohan. The idea behind the initiative is to bring down the quantum of waste that goes into the sea and emphasising the importance of recycling these materials, he said.