In a bid to highlight the growing environmental threat posed by marine plastic pollution, a one-day Workshop-cum-Awareness Programme was held at the Fish Landing Centre in Pokkadera, Mayabunder. Organized jointly by the Sri Vijaya Puram Zonal Base of the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, the event saw participation from officials, law enforcement personnel, scientists, and the local fishing community.
The programme was inaugurated by Shweta K Sugathan, Superintendent of Police, N&M Andaman. The session was also attended by key local authorities including Divisional Forest Officer Lata Hedge Prasad, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rajinikanth Awadhiyar, and Assistant Commandant Tulsidas Bhardwaj from the Indian Coast Guard.
Bala Naik, Mechanical Marine Engineer, delivered the keynote address, followed by the welcome speech by Assistant Director Tapan Kumar Biswas of the Fisheries Department. Fisheries Scientist Dr. C Babu of FSI concluded the event with a vote of thanks and a detailed technical presentation on the impact of marine plastic litter and the role of FSI in its management.
The presentation also outlined survey data, raising awareness on how plastic debris affects marine biodiversity, fisheries livelihoods, and overall ocean health. Dr. Babu stressed that plastic pollution in the ocean is not just an aesthetic issue, but one that directly impacts the food chain, water quality, and sustainable development goals.
Various informative exhibits were showcased at the venue, covering topics ranging from ocean pollution by marine litter to the deployment of artificial reefs and models of fishing gear. A project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) focusing on marine mammal stock assessment in Indian waters also featured prominently.
Adding an interactive touch to the awareness drive, FSI also organized a fishermen rally and a coastal cleanliness campaign. Participants took part in clearing litter from nearby shores, reinforcing the day’s key message: that marine protection begins with community participation.
The programme was sponsored by Oil India Ltd, adding a corporate social responsibility dimension to the effort. With ocean pollution increasingly being recognized as a global crisis, such localized awareness events are becoming vital nodes in the larger movement towards sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation.
The presence of multiple administrative departments and uniformed services highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of marine conservation. Organizers emphasized that awareness must be accompanied by sustained action and stricter enforcement against dumping and littering in coastal waters.
With the islands dependent on marine resources for both economy and nutrition, the threat posed by plastic litter is particularly acute in the Andaman and Nicobar region. Events such as these serve not only to educate, but also to mobilize collective action among stakeholders and youth.
