Summary:
Sources in Drishti Marine said they have informed their officials about the tar balls. “We tried to clean up some areas, but overnight more tar balls washed ashore along with other garbage,” an official said.The deposition of oily hydrocarbons was first noticed in 1970s, but the menace has increased over the last few decades. Besides, elderly locals visit the beach during the pre-monsoon season for the annual saltwater bath. In Pernem, Keri, Arambol, Ashvem and Morjim form a slightly shorter coastal stretch than Salcete.All these beaches attract a large number of tourists throughout the year. “When we bring in our catch, the oily blobs get stuck to the fresh fish,” a fisherman said.Release or dumping of oil by rogue ships emptying their tanks or leakage from oil rigs has been attributed to the tar ball menace..