NEW DELHI, FEB. 19. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has put the tsunami losses in fisheries and aquaculture at $ 520 million.
The updated damage assessment from southern Asia is throwing a new light on material losses suffered by fisher-folk in the December 26, 2004 tsunami strike as well as financial costs involved in rehabilitating the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Jeremy Turner, head of the FAO's Fishery Technology Service said: "The current estimate for direct losses in the fisheries sector is now around $520 million.
The figures refer to only India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.''
As per the FAO's estimate, 1,11,073 fishing vessels were destroyed or damaged with an estimated replacement cost of $161 million; 36,235 engines were lost or damaged beyond repair with replacement costs projected at $73 million; 1.7 million units of fishing gear (nets, tackle, and similar equipment) were destroyed with an estimated replacement cost of $86 million and the cost of repairs of other damages to the fisheries sector, such as to aquaculture operations, fishing industry infrastructure and harbours are estimated to be in excess of $ 200 million...... [as reported in a recent edition of the The Hindu]
I know. This is not a New England story. Over the past ten or so weeks since the horrible tragedy that struck South East Asia and the Indian Ocean I have been waiting to write something about the damage done to the aquaculture industry in that area of th4e world. I thought it would make sense to wait until the UN had time to finalize some of the numbers.
Though this story does come from half a world away, anyone who makes a living on the sea can understand how tragic the disaster was and how hard it will be for these people to get their lives back.
Natural and man made disasters are real for anyone who makes a living on the ocean. In this are of the world, hurricanes, oil spills and sea born diseases and viruses can destroy fish stocks and aquaculture grounds. What can be taken away from this latest disaster is a need to understand the natural threats around your businesses as well as ways to prepare for the worst. Following in that vain, New England Aquafarmer will dedicate upcoming posts to natural disaster preparation and awareness for the New England Region.
E.L.
