Sunday, January 9 2005 16:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagapattinam: Is there a dramatic change in the behaviour and the content of the sea due to Tsunami?

This is a question that scientists and experts will address in the coming days after the fishermen, who had ventured into the sea in different parts of the State, testified to drastic changes in the sea behaviour and pattern.

According to fishermen, there is a migration of fishes to other regions. The sea- bed and its depth have also decreased after the Tsunami, they say. Some fishermen have also reported seeing different varieties of fishes, not seen before the Tsunami.

"The fishermen have reported to us that there is a drastic reduction in the depth of the sea," said Vivekanandan, President of South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies.

The fishermen, who ventured into the sea yesterday (Jan 8, 2005) at Puthupattinam village also reported that there have been vast migration of fishes to other areas.

"Normally, after a disaster like cyclone or floods, the catch will be much higher for the fishermen. However, here after the Tsunami, we see that the fishermen are not getting a huge catch," he said.

Another noticeable change is the advancement of the sea towards the coast. In many areas along the coast, villagers say that the sea has advanced at least 20 meters into the coastline.