Panel to assess loss caused by oil spill off Mumbai

The expert committee appointed to study the quantum of loss in the fishing business and the long-term effect on aquatic life after the recent oil spill in the sea is meeting on Friday at Mantralaya.

The state government has clarified that it would claim maximum compensation towards the loss to nets, boats and fish, the seizure of fish made by the BMC after the oil spill and ecological damage to the underwater aquatic life.    

The state fisheries department has appointed the committee from the Central Institute of Fisheries Education and National Institute of Oceanography to study the damages before compensation is claimed from the shipping companies involved.  

“In the short-term loss, we are looking at the damages to business, damages of dole nets, compensation for the seizure of the fish stock by BMC from various markets. We also have formed seven teams in three affected districts to study the long-term ecological loss that is expected to prevail for the next two to three years. The assessment of the short-term loss is expected to be submitted in the next couple of weeks, while the expert committee is expected to submit its report on long-term damage in a couple of months,” said Rajesh Agrawal, secretary, fisheries.  

According to a rough estimate, nearly 2,000 families are expected to get the compensation. “We have demanded Rs10,000 per family per month for one year against their loss to livelihood. There are nearly 2,000 families that are dependent on fishing in small boats who have suffered maximum loss,” said Damodar Tandel, president, Akhil Maharashtra Macchhimar Kriti Samiti.