Uttara Kannada: The Uttara Kannada district administration has stepped up safety measures following the deaths of five fishermen who inhaled toxic gas released by decomposing Chaman fish. Special awareness meetings have been organised at various fishing harbours across the district to prevent similar incidents.
Officials from the Fisheries Department, Police Department, Coastal Security Police and other concerned departments have issued strict safety guidelines to protect fishermen. Boat owners and fishing workers have been instructed to follow the prescribed precautionary measures without fail.Five fishermen died in two separate incidents after inhaling poisonous gas released from decomposing Chaman fish. On October 27, three fishermen died at Tadadi fishing harbour near Gokarna. Subsequently, on October 31, two more fishermen lost their lives at Muduga near Karwar.
The incidents occurred when fishermen attempted to remove fish stored inside the storage compartments of boats. Toxic gases accumulated inside the enclosed spaces, leading to fatal consequences.When Chaman fish decomposes, it can release dangerous gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulphide. These gases can accumulate inside enclosed storage tanks, creating a life-threatening environment and causing breathing difficulties, oxygen deficiency and potentially fatal poisoning.
Following these incidents, awareness programmes have been conducted at several fishing harbours, including Karwar, Kumta, Baithkol and Honnavar.The authorities have instructed fishermen to ensure proper refrigeration immediately after catching Chaman fish and transport the catch to the harbour without unnecessary delay. Decomposed fish and fish waste should not be stored inside boats.
Fishermen have also been strictly warned against entering fish storage tanks directly under any circumstances.Before entering storage compartments, the presence of toxic gases must be checked using gas detectors. Adequate ventilation must be ensured, and no one should enter enclosed spaces without appropriate respiratory protective equipment.
Officials have further cautioned fishermen not to assume that an enclosed space is safe merely because the smell of gas has disappeared.The district administration has intensified preventive measures to ensure that such tragedies do not recur. Authorities have appealed to boat owners and fishermen to strictly follow all safety instructions and prioritise the protection of lives while handling fish and cleaning storage compartments.
