The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in collaboration with the UNDP-SGP programme and HCL Foundation, has launched a pioneering project to combat marine pollution in the Gulf of Mannar region. This community-driven initiative focuses on retrieving and upcycling ghost gear, specifically abandoned fishing nets, to mitigate the devastating impact of marine pollution on the ecosystem.

This endeavour offers a dual benefit: reducing the detrimental effects of marine pollution while providing alternative livelihoods for fisherwomen, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities. To achieve this, MSSRF conducted three comprehensive training sessions, each with 30 participants, totalling 92 women from local fishing villages in and around Rameswaram.

Dr. Velvizhi, Area Director of MSSRF’s Coastal System and Fisheries Programme and Principal Investigator of this project, participated as a resource person alongside community trainers. She emphasized the crucial role women play in conservation, often serving as messengers for sustainable management of marine and coastal biodiversity.

The three-day training sessions equipped participants with the skills to transform waste nets into innovative, eco-friendly products, such as foot mats, wall hangings, and mobile pouches. By assigning economic value to these products, the foundation incentivizes fishermen and women to collect waste nets, promoting a cleaner marine environment and fostering community ownership.

The next phase involves linking these women to markets to sell their products, generating income and disseminating a crucial message about minimizing plastic pollution. This initiative also motivates fishermen to collect waste nets from the marine environment and sell them to these women for product making.

This project aims to safeguard the prestigious marine environment of the Gulf of Mannar, renowned for its rich biodiversity. MSSRF plans to mobilize these women into a federation, promoting bulk production of ghost net waste-based products under a brand, ensuring sustainable income and promoting eco-friendly fishing practices.

The women who participated expressed their gratitude and articulated that this training not only provided them with skills to earn an income but also instilled a sense of ownership in marine biodiversity conservation. MSSRF Site Coordinator Dr. Siva, Mr. Kevikumar, Mr. Sibindhar, Mr. Salam and Ms. Kanmani successfully coordinated the programme, achieving its intended outcomes.