Fishermen RAK-ed with fear

They are worried that oil spilling from MV RAK may affect their catch, and consequently, their businessYou might have to kiss your rawas, Pomfret and other favourite fish goodbye this season, thanks to the oil spill caused by the merchant vessel MV RAK that grounded at Juhu beach.J Jaiswal from the National Institute of Oceanography found dead jellyfish and some flora covered in oilThe fishing community in the city has been restricted to go out into the waters. Rajhans Tapke, president of the National Fishermen Association (NFA) said, Fishing season starts next Sunday.u00a0The government has advised us not to venture into the sea before August 15. We are hoping that the oil spill is controlled before Monday otherwise our business will be affected.Other fishermen are also worried as they claim that the oil in the water may affect the breeding of the fish, which will ultimately affect their business.u00a0Manohar Koli, another fisherman, said, We generally get a lot of fish between Naral Poornima and Ganeshotsav as the fishing season begins. It is the peak time of our season.u00a0Not being allowed to fish, will definitely impact us. Other fishermen also added that being restricted from fishing was a severe strain on their pockets and felt that the entire incident was a deja vu of last year when a massive oil spill occurred when MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia-III had collided exactly a year ago, on August 7.That time too, we had lost our livelihood owing to the spill and even though we were promised compensation, we didn't get any, said Anil Kacchi, a fisherman from Juhu Koliwada.Unhappy touristsThe oil spill hasn't just played spoilsport for the fisherfolk but also for tourists to the beach. Tarun Khanna (17) said, It is no fun just hanging out on the beach. We came to go in the water, but because of the oil we cannot go in.u00a0Grumbling about the same thing, Anita Kumar added, We got to see the oil on the beach, which is new for me but I am disappointed at not being allowed into the water. Meanwhile, researchers from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) were at the beach collecting samples to check the levels of contamination. J Jaiswal, senior researcher from NIO, said, We have got samples of the oil that was on the beach yesterday and are collecting samples today.u00a0We have found dead jellyfish and some flora covered in oil, which we will be tested.u00a0As soon as the test results arrive, we will share it with everyone. As of now I cannot say what the exact level of pollution is.800Tonnes of oil that leaked into the sea when MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia-III collided off the Mumbai coast on August 7, 2010