Call to protect the biodiversity-rich underwater ecosystem off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram

Friends of Marine Life (FML), a Thiruvananthapuram-based forum for marine biodiversity, has sought urgent intervention from the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) and the Forest Department to protect a newly documented underwater ecosystem between Adimalathura and Poovar.

FML, in collaboration with SCUBA Cochin, documented the underwater area rich in marine biodiversity, said FML Chief Coordinator Robert Panipilla. “This is a rocky underwater habitat rich in fish wealth and known to local fishermen as ‘Panthakallu.’ The fish diversity assessment by FML has revealed the presence of more than 30 families of reef fish,” Mr Panipilla said. The ecosystem exists at a depth of 15 meters, he said.

Besides fish, he said, turtles, corals, sea sponges, bryozoans, hydrozoans, molluscs, feather stars and tube worms are also found in the region lying west of Kochuthura between Adimalatura and Poovar.

Two fishermen from Poovar, Siluvakurissu and Dawilson accompanied the researchers during the documentation.

Mr Panipilla said it was imperative that KSBB and the Forest Department take steps to protect this wealth of marine biodiversity.