Discarded fishing gear major cause of marine debris in 13 TN districts

The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is "Beat Plastic Pollution", but assessment about beach litters across 64 coastal villages in 13 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu revealed Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), as the main source of trash with an average density of 1.14 items/m2.

- S GODSON WISELY DASS @Thoothukudi

This highlights the need for strict implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility policies, and enhancing waste reception facilities.

Discarded fishnets, plastic nets, ropes, traps, buoys and other fishing gears, referred to as Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), contribute to biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, entanglement and ingestion hazards for marine organisms and the deterioration of coastal environments.