PUTTALAM LAGOON FISHERMEN HIT HARD BY KIND OF MOSS SPREAD

Cannot be removed, says Environmental Conservation Authority Causes itch when comes into contact with skin

Fishermen in Pubudugama, Puttalam said that their The livelihood of fishermen had come under threat following the spread of a new species of algae including Pubudugama Lagoon strip in Puttalam, fishermen of the area said.

“Due to these algae our harvest has gone down in these areas,” one fisherman said.

A resident of Pubudugama M. Suralaal Fernando said that the algae had been spread along two kilometres of the lagoon during the last few months.

“It has spread over 500 metres from the mouth of the lagoon. Due to the gathering of moss in the lagoon, fish from another side would not come inside the lagoon.

The amount of our catch has gone down,” he said.the fishermen said that the floating plant caused itching on their skin when it came into contact. When inquired the General Manager of Environment Conservation Authority Dr Turney Pradeep Kumara said it spread fast because the mouth of the lagoon was rich in nutrients.

“The algae is spreading fast due to the presence of Nitrate and Phosphate in this area. It will be a great environmental loss as it is difficult to remove this type of algae,” he said.

“This can be happen due to the use of chemicals for various purposes and the network of Lagoons is at a risk due to these reasons,” he said.