Ennore Fishermen Protest Mass Fish Kill in Kosasthalaiyar River

The mass death of fish in the Kosasthalaiyar river near the Ennore estuary has triggered protests by local fishermen, who alleged that contaminated industrial effluent entered the waterway through the Buckingham Canal.

Tonnes of dead fish, prawns, and crabs were found floating in the water starting Saturday morning. Fishermen reported that the affected stretch spanned nearly 6 to 7 km, extending from the Buckingham Canal near Kattukuppam, past the North Chennai Thermal Power Station, toward the Kolivakkam area.

Demanding strict action against those responsible for polluting the waterbody, fishermen staged road blockades in Ennore. They noted that industrial units often release chemical discharges at night, making tracing difficult. Dead fish species found along the stretch included Madal, Thullal, Sankara, Koduva, and Irunka.

R.L. Srinivasan, president of the Ennore Fishermen Co-operative Society, said chemical-laden water is frequently released from the Manali side through the canal, mixing with backwaters and heading out to sea during low tide.

D. Venkatesan, secretary of the Ennorekuppam Grama Panchayat, said the incident severely damaged local livelihoods. Around 750 fishing boats have been impacted, affecting at least 25,000 families. He noted that an estimated 3 to 4 lakh fish had died, leaving a strong foul smell across fishing hamlets as the aquatic life decomposed.

The Ennore-Manali belt has witnessed severe pollution in the past, including the 2017 oil spill off Kamarajar Port and an oil leak into the Buckingham Canal and Ennore Creek during Cyclone Michaung in December 2023.

Fisheries Department officials visited the affected area on Sunday to inspect the site and collect water samples for laboratory analysis. Officials stated that their immediate focus is clearing the dead aquatic life and preventing further contamination while testing determines the nature of the chemical discharge.