Kerala’s fisherfolk hope to be heard this election season

As Kerala gears up for the Assembly election, the State’s fishing community has renewed its call to political parties to address its livelihood concerns. Of the State’s 140 Assembly constituencies, around 40 are coastal, accounting for nearly 30%, making them electorally significant in a landscape often defined by narrow margins.

With the fisheries sector employing nearly 10 lakh workers, all political fronts are keenly watching the community’s priorities. Several factors, including the drop in marine resources, adverse climate change, and spike in operational expenses have upset the sector.

Though the State has made a series of allocations to address the crucial challenges, their timely realisation remains a challenge. According to Fisheries department officials, ₹239 crore was earmarked for fisheries in the State Budget. This was in addition to separate allocations for higher education scholarships, infrastructure development, and relief projects.

However, organisations for the fisherfolk point to persistent gaps. For many, the yet-to-be-revised assistance to survive during lean seasons remains a grievance. What they seek is the launch of an enhanced direct income support scheme. Better student scholarships for higher education is another demand.

Poor enforcement of rules

Some organisations also pinpoint poor enforcement of rules in the fisheries sector. Abdul Razak, the State general secretary of the Kerala Matsyathozhilali Federation, said the State is yet to come up with strong measures against the use of banned fishing nets. The government has accorded priority to collection of penalties instead of checking violations, he said.

Irfab Habeeb, a fisherman from Kozhikode and the secretary of the Matsya Thozhilali Congress, sought immediate action to impound boats that use banned nets. He said boats impounded in such cases should not be released at any cost. He also highlighted the poor infrastructure at many harbours.

Fishermen rinsing their catch on Shangumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram.
| Photo Credit:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN

Jackson Pollayil, the State president of the Kerala Swathanthra Matsyathozhilali Federation, demanded a price-fixing mechanism with government support to ensure fair returns. He also sought the creation of a coastal development authority, and emphasised the need to safeguard fisherfolk’s right over marine resources.

Striking a different note, N.P. Radhakrishnan of the Bharatiya Matsya Pravarthaka Sanghom and former member of the National Fisheries Board said the State should make optimum use of available Central assistance. He pointed out that the reluctance to provide the State’s share amid financial constraints had been hindering several development initiatives.

A thorough revision of existing rehabilitation projects such as Punargeham [safe alternative housing scheme for those living very close to the sea] is crucial, according to coastal families in Kozhikode, to meet their livelihood needs. They pointed out that an integrated approach combining housing with better access to work premises should be adopted. Other complaints were lack of affordable boat repair yards and poor options for value-added product manufacturing units .

Leaders of major political fronts hinted that many of the demands would make their way into election manifestos.