Latest news with #Kurisinkal
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Project to renovate Chinese fishing nets on Fort Kochi beach in limbo
About a decade since its inception, the ₹2.40-crore project of Kerala Tourism to renovate the iconic Chinese fishing nets along the Fort Kochi beachfront remains in limbo, with only four of the nets being renovated. The teak logs that were procured over four years ago for the purpose can be seen abandoned on the beach walkway. Although Kerala Tourism officials say it may take up to November to renovate the rest of the seven nets, those operating the nets are confident that this can be done by August, prior to the commencement of the tourist season, if funds are provided. Expressing concern at the delay in sanctioning funds, including to procure fishing nets for the project, Sebastian Kurisinkal, president of the Chinese Nets Owners' Association, say most of the owners and workers are struggling to make ends meet, faced with uncertainty about the renovation of the nets. 'They earn a pittance due to the steep fall in fish catch and sea incursion on the beachfront. They have still not been paid their dues, despite the labour they put into renovating the nets. Both Kerala Tourism and KITCO, the project implementing agency, must take steps to hand over the requisite funds,' he says. Over time, most of the net operators had replaced the damaged teak logs that support the nets with iron pipes, at the cost of aesthetics of the Chinese nets, due to delay in sourcing forest teak logs of similar length. Pointing to the need to replace the ageing iron pipes, Mr. Kurisinkal says workers trained in replacing the logs and the wooden stumps of the nets often fail to turn up following the delay in releasing funds. A Kerala Tourism official said a committee headed by K.J. Maxi, MLA, was overseeing the renovation process, considering the role they played during the past decades in wooing tourists. 'It is hoped that the Finance department clears the pending bills so that the renovation of the nets can be completed in six months,' he added.
