&w=3840&q=100)
Kerala's fishing economy reels from back-to-back maritime disasters
Kerala's coastal communities are on edge after two major maritime accidents in the Arabian Sea within a short span, threatening not only fragile marine ecosystems but also the livelihoods of thousands who depend on them. The back-to-back incidents—first involving the MSC Elsa 3, followed by a fire aboard MV Wan Hai 503—have triggered bans on fishing, fears of contamination, and disruptions to the state's marine economy.
According to Kerala Fisheries Statistics 2021, over one million people in the state depend directly or indirectly on fisheries, including more than 2.4 lakh active fishermen across 222 marine fishing villages.
When did the incidents occur?
The MSC ELSA-3, a Liberian-flagged container ship carrying 640 containers (including hazardous materials like calcium carbide), capsized and sank on May 25, about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, off Kerala's coast. The MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container vessel, caught fire on June 9, roughly 78 nautical miles off Beypore, Kerala, following an under-deck explosion.
After the MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck, authorities imposed an eight-day fishing ban within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the wreck site. The timing could not have been worse—it coincided with the onset of the monsoon season, typically a peak period for fish catch. In 2020-21, Kerala produced 6.15 lakh tonnes of fish and prawns, highlighting the scale of economic activity now at risk.
The government's interim relief included ₹1,000 and 6 kg of rice per family, a measure many in the fishing community criticised as inadequate. 'June to September is when we earn the most. This amount doesn't even cover two days of work,' said a fisherman from the Alappuzha-Kollam region, highlighting how compensation fell below the daily minimum wage.
Meanwhile, ongoing efforts to remove marine sediments from affected coastlines in Alappuzha, Kollam, and parts of Thiruvananthapuram have made uneven progress. Although communities have resumed fishing in some areas, fears of contamination persist.
Environmental fears mount
Experts say that while no mass fish deaths have been reported so far, the real danger may lie in delayed ecological impacts. 'If the water is not treated and sediments are not properly removed, this could lead to long-term consequences,' said a local fishing union representative. 'It's not just our community—this could affect people inland too, through the food chain and market supply.'
Kollam, which usually lands around 35,000 tonnes of fish daily, has seen a steep drop in supply and demand alike. Several fish markets have reported little or no demand for days, as people are worried about possible contamination from hazardous cargo and oil spills. This has led to a direct loss of income for thousands of families who depend on fishing.
According to Dr Sajeevan, professor at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), misinformation about contamination is already hurting fish sales. Many regular fish eaters are switching to alternatives like meat or avoiding fish from affected areas altogether, he said.
Scientific teams deployed to assess impact
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has deployed teams to assess environmental and economic fallout. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the National Institute of Oceanography are also expected to conduct studies on water quality and ecological recovery.
'Proper scientific monitoring and treatment are essential to contain long-term damage,' Dr Sajeevan added. 'We may not be seeing marine organism deaths now, but that doesn't rule out contamination. The impact on spawning, migration, and species diversity could emerge over time.'
The way forward
While cleanup operations are underway, fishers and environmentalists alike are demanding stricter regulation of maritime traffic near coastal zones and faster relief mechanisms. Experts are also calling for a contingency plan to protect coastal economies from future maritime mishaps.
'The government must establish a coordinated response framework that includes emergency cleanup, livelihood protection, and scientific risk assessments,' said a CMFRI official. 'Kerala's marine economy cannot afford repeated shocks.'
For now, coastal families wait anxiously—not just for fish to return to their nets, but for assurance that their waters, and their futures, remain safe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Kufos restocks native fish species in Chalakudy
Kochi: In a step towards restoring aquatic biodiversity and supporting traditional livelihoods of fisherfolk, indigenous fish seeds were restocked in Chalakudy River, which has the maximum number of fish species in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative, aimed at ecological restoration and sustainable inland fisheries, is a joint effort by Annamanada grama panchayat and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos). Under the restocking programme, 1,500 advanced fingerlings and broodstock of two native species — yellow catfish (Horabagrus brachysoma), locally known as Manjakoori, and olive barb (Systomus sarana), commonly called Kuruva — were released. Yellow catfish is included in threatened category as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. "These species are vital components of our riverine ecosystems and local fisheries. Their restocking not only supports biodiversity but also uplifts river-based livelihoods," said Kufos vice-chancellor Biju Kumar. Endemic to Western Ghats, yellow catfish faces increasing threats from habitat degradation, overexploitation and hydrological disruptions. Olive barb, once abundant in river channels and paddy fields, has seen drastic population decline due to pollution, land-use changes and climate-induced stresses. According to recent studies, these two native species contribute an estimated 1.16 metric tonnes (Kuruva) and 2.01 metric tonnes (Manjakoori) to the annual fishery yield in Chalakudy catchment. With more than 110 recorded fish species — over 50% of which are endemic — Chalakudy River and its floodplains are recognized as a critical habitat within Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "This restocking programme is a model of community-driven conservation that we hope to replicate across other degraded river systems," Kumar said. However, the river's ecological integrity is increasingly under threat from biological invasions. Chalakudy system now harbours over 15 non-native species, including at least 12 aggressive exotics such as common carp, sucker mouth catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp), Nile tilapia, alligator gar and giant gourami. Many of these were introduced — often illegally — for aquaculture and ornamental purposes. The 2018 floods further exacerbated the problem, sweeping invasive species into the river in large numbers. Influx of alien species, compounded by multisource pollution, has undermined native biodiversity and economic security of local fishing communities. In response, Kufos has been actively developing and deploying captive breeding protocols for native species. These scientifically planned stock enhancement programmes have been implemented across key inland waterbodies in Kerala, including Idamalayar and Peringalkuthu reservoirs and Sasthamkotta Lake.
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Kerala's fishing economy reels from back-to-back maritime disasters
Kerala's coastal communities are on edge after two major maritime accidents in the Arabian Sea within a short span, threatening not only fragile marine ecosystems but also the livelihoods of thousands who depend on them. The back-to-back incidents—first involving the MSC Elsa 3, followed by a fire aboard MV Wan Hai 503—have triggered bans on fishing, fears of contamination, and disruptions to the state's marine economy. According to Kerala Fisheries Statistics 2021, over one million people in the state depend directly or indirectly on fisheries, including more than 2.4 lakh active fishermen across 222 marine fishing villages. When did the incidents occur? The MSC ELSA-3, a Liberian-flagged container ship carrying 640 containers (including hazardous materials like calcium carbide), capsized and sank on May 25, about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, off Kerala's coast. The MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container vessel, caught fire on June 9, roughly 78 nautical miles off Beypore, Kerala, following an under-deck explosion. After the MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck, authorities imposed an eight-day fishing ban within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the wreck site. The timing could not have been worse—it coincided with the onset of the monsoon season, typically a peak period for fish catch. In 2020-21, Kerala produced 6.15 lakh tonnes of fish and prawns, highlighting the scale of economic activity now at risk. The government's interim relief included ₹1,000 and 6 kg of rice per family, a measure many in the fishing community criticised as inadequate. 'June to September is when we earn the most. This amount doesn't even cover two days of work,' said a fisherman from the Alappuzha-Kollam region, highlighting how compensation fell below the daily minimum wage. Meanwhile, ongoing efforts to remove marine sediments from affected coastlines in Alappuzha, Kollam, and parts of Thiruvananthapuram have made uneven progress. Although communities have resumed fishing in some areas, fears of contamination persist. Environmental fears mount Experts say that while no mass fish deaths have been reported so far, the real danger may lie in delayed ecological impacts. 'If the water is not treated and sediments are not properly removed, this could lead to long-term consequences,' said a local fishing union representative. 'It's not just our community—this could affect people inland too, through the food chain and market supply.' Kollam, which usually lands around 35,000 tonnes of fish daily, has seen a steep drop in supply and demand alike. Several fish markets have reported little or no demand for days, as people are worried about possible contamination from hazardous cargo and oil spills. This has led to a direct loss of income for thousands of families who depend on fishing. According to Dr Sajeevan, professor at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), misinformation about contamination is already hurting fish sales. Many regular fish eaters are switching to alternatives like meat or avoiding fish from affected areas altogether, he said. Scientific teams deployed to assess impact The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has deployed teams to assess environmental and economic fallout. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the National Institute of Oceanography are also expected to conduct studies on water quality and ecological recovery. 'Proper scientific monitoring and treatment are essential to contain long-term damage,' Dr Sajeevan added. 'We may not be seeing marine organism deaths now, but that doesn't rule out contamination. The impact on spawning, migration, and species diversity could emerge over time.' The way forward While cleanup operations are underway, fishers and environmentalists alike are demanding stricter regulation of maritime traffic near coastal zones and faster relief mechanisms. Experts are also calling for a contingency plan to protect coastal economies from future maritime mishaps. 'The government must establish a coordinated response framework that includes emergency cleanup, livelihood protection, and scientific risk assessments,' said a CMFRI official. 'Kerala's marine economy cannot afford repeated shocks.' For now, coastal families wait anxiously—not just for fish to return to their nets, but for assurance that their waters, and their futures, remain safe.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Fishers seek investigation and compensation
Kochi: The Kerala Fisheries Co-ordination Committee called for a comprehensive investigation into the two ship accidents that took place off Kerala's coastal waters in the last few weeks. Chairman of the committee, T N Prathapan, said compensation should be given for the huge loss to the fisheries sector. He mentioned that both accidents occurred in the Malabar upwelling region, one of the world's top five fishing centres, which supplies 90% of the world's oil sardines and 95% of India's mackerel. These fish are sensitive to even minor climate changes. "The sardines, which disappeared in 2012, have shown signs of returning since 2022, but they are still being caught in small quantities. Since April this year, good rains started and the sardines have been thriving on plankton. It is in this context that the ship accidents occurred," he said. The MSC ELSA-3 ship with mysterious origins sank near Thottappally, close to the unique phenomenon of the Chakarapattu near the Kollam Bank. Debris has torn the nets of many vessels. When the Express Pearl ship sank near Colombo port in Sri Lanka in 2021, the spread of its plastic nurdles had severe consequences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available Original Adidas Shop Now Undo Currently, with the water flow southward, nurdles are scattered up to Kanyakumari. When the flow reverses northward, the nurdles trapped in the rocks will spread throughout Kerala, the committee said in a statement. "The chemical waste that entered the waters must be removed urgently. Adequate compensation, not just a token amount, should be provided to the fishermen. Our demand to move the shipping lane 50 nautical miles away was rejected by the central govt, reducing it to just 50km, without addressing environmental concerns. Adequate compensation should be collected from the shipping company, as mandated by various international conventions. The court also stated that the shipping company, not the govt, should provide compensation," the committee.
