MSSRF opens ghost gear collection, segregation centre at Vedhalai

To combat marine debris and to protect one of the India’s most ecologically significant coastal ecosystems, the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), with support of HCL Foundation, inaugurated a ghost gear collection and segregation centre at Vedhalai here on Wednesday.

MSSRF, implementing the project in Gulf of Mannar with the CSR support of HCL foundation titled ‘Minimizing the impact of ghost gear to conserve the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mannar through a community-centric collective approach, is critical at a time when the region faced increased threats from the ghost gear.

The damaged coral reefs entangles marine life, and disrupts fisheries-based livelihoods and the initiative was believed to provide a comprehensive, science-backed, and community-driven response to a pressing environmental challenge, said Nidhi Pundhir, Global Director of HCL Foundation and Senior Vice President at HCL Tech