26-05-2025
Double whammy for fishermen in Kerala
Fishermen who have called off sea expeditions for three days now following weather warnings fear that it will take at least another week for fishing operations to return to normal after the authorities issued warnings about a Liberian cargo vessel that sank off the coast of Kochi with hazardous cargo and oil spill.
Fisheries were expected to return to near normal catch levels when spells of intermittent rain started over a week ago. A few artisanal vessels had started netting a relatively good catch of oil sardines, but with heavy rain starting four days ago, the sea conditions turned rough forcing the authorities to issue warnings against venturing out, said Antony Kurisinkal, a fisherman.
After fishing operations were suspended, fishing harbours and landing centres are now empty. Major harbours like Thoppumpady, Kalamukku, Munambam, and Chellanam are nearly deserted as there is no business as usual.
Mr. Kurisinkal said that warning against containers from the cargo vessel had brought fresh fear, and fishermen were apprehensive that the oil spill would affect future catch as well as cause serious disruption in normal fishing operations.
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Director Grinson George said that there was a threat to marine species, and that oil spill could disrupt fishing activities, particularly affecting artisanal fishers. If the spill spreads, it may harm marine productivity, especially during the monsoon. This could have lasting consequences for fisheries.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation has demanded that the authorities reveal the details of the exact contents of the containers that have spilled out of the Liberian vessel.
Federation State president Jackson Pollayil said that the authorities were duty-bound to reveal the nature of the cargo as it had triggered concern in coastal areas. He accused the authorities of keeping stakeholders in the dark and expressed concern over the future of fishing operations against the backdrop of the accident midsea.
