Hike in compensation sought for fishers hit by sinking of cargo vessel

The Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedi has demanded an increase in the compensation announced by the government for the families of fishermen affected by the sinking of a cargo vessel off the Kerala coast.

In a statement, Aikya Vedi State President Charles George said the compensation declared by the government was inadequate and reflected a dismissive attitude toward the incident and its impact on the fishing community. He pointed out that in several developing countries, compensation paid to fishermen in similar incidents amounts to three times the cost of the ship involved. He also criticised the government-appointed committee, stating that it appeared to have held no discussions with the shipping company regarding compensation. Mr. George said that the captain of the vessel had not yet been arrested.

He added that a foreign company, reportedly engaged by the shipping firm, has begun removing the plastic nurdles that washed ashore following the incident. He claimed that the company has been hiring local fishermen for the cleanup, paying them ₹1,000 each, but without consulting either the Central or State governments. The operation has already become a political issue, he said. The fishermen, he added, were not being provided with any protective gear, such as gloves.

Mr. George also demanded the formation of an expert committee comprising health experts and environmentalists to assess the potential health hazards and environmental impact of the plastic nurdle accumulation along the coast.

Published - June 08, 2025 07:47 pm IST