Fishermen blame chemical unit for death of dolphins

After the post-mortem, the carcasses were buried on the coast. Experts from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Thoothukudi, visited the spot and carried out investigations. 

They interacted with the fishermen, who expressed concern about chemical waste being let out into the sea by a private chemical company situated close to Punnakayal and demanded action against the firm. 

The incident happened on Monday evening when close to 40 ‘Spotted Dolphins’ variety were stranded and immediately fishermen put in their efforts to save them. However, four of them had died and the remaining were pushed back into the sea. 

Fishermen kept vigil throughout the night. They were fully equipped to rescue the dolphins and push them back into the sea. The rescue operations continued till Tuesday morning when two dolphins were again stranded on the coast. The fishermen struggled to push them back into the sea. Despite their hard work, four of them died in the mass stranding. However, fishermen said that death count could increase as many of the Dolphins would have stranded on the islands nearby and the coastal area should be completely searched to ascertain the exact numbers. 

According to District Forest Officer (DFO), Sampath, the dolphins must be six to seven years old and measured around six feet in length. He also said that the dolphins might have strayed accidentally into the fresh water.