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Wadge Bank
- 14 May 2025
- 2 min read
Fishermen in Kanyakumari oppose the Union government’s proposed hydrocarbon exploration project at Wadge Bank under Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), fearing it will harm their livelihoods and the ecologically sensitive marine area.
Wadge Bank
- Wadge Bank is a submarine plateau in the Indian Ocean, located 80 km off Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), lying in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- A bank is a shallow elevation on the continental shelf, usually less than 200 meters deep, formed of continental origin.
- It is known for its rich marine biodiversity and abundant fishery resources.
- The 1976 India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Agreement grants India sovereign rights over Wadge Bank, including the right to explore petroleum and minerals, while Sri Lankan fishermen are prohibited from fishing in the area.
- It is one of the world's richest fishing grounds, with high organic productivity, serving as a key feeding and breeding ground for fish.
- Wadge Bank peak fishing season is from July to October, boosted by seasonal upwelling that enhances nutrient availability.
Hydrocarbons
- Hydrocarbons are organic compounds (made of carbon & hydrogen) that form the basis of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
| Read More: Katchatheevu Island, Hydrocarbons Exploration and Extraction |
