Latin Catholic Church urges Kerala govt to fast-track relief for fishers ahead of ‘rough season’

The leadership of the Latin Catholic Church has reportedly urged the UDF-led Kerala government to expedite welfare measures to help the coastal fishing community tide over the loss of livelihood during the southwest monsoon season.

Fr Beed Manoj Amado, the Church spokesperson, told reporters after a closed-door meeting at the Bishop’s House on Friday involving Fisheries Minister and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader V.E. Abdul Gafoor and Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop Thomas J Netto that a “rough season” was imminent and the government should fast-track relief measures to alleviate the community’s hardship.

Fr Amado said the annual trawling ban and rough seas would severely affect the livelihoods of lakhs of fishers in Kerala and that the government had a responsibility to extend support to the community.

Earlier, Mr. Gafoor told reporters that the government was fully aware of the difficulties, including financial distress, faced by fishers during the season and that assistance measures were being processed.

The Church reiterated its demand for the restoration of kerosene and diesel subsidies for sea-going fishers. It also stressed the need for a technology-enabled, rapid-response search-and-rescue system for fishers in distress at sea, along with better coordination with the Kerala Marine Police and the Centre’s maritime agencies, particularly the Indian Coast Guard and the Navy.

Fr Amado said the recurring deaths of fishers in rough seas at the mouth of the Muthalapozhi harbour — one of the largest fish landing centres in south Kerala — also figured prominently in the discussions. Fishing boats frequently capsize at the harbour entrance due to hazardous sea conditions.

The Church urged the government to undertake periodic dredging at the harbour to prevent sandbar formation, which significantly reduces water depth at the port entrance and creates dangerous cross-currents and eddies capable of pulling fishing boats under.

According to official figures, at least 14 fishers have died and several others have been seriously injured in around 150 accidents at Muthalapozhy since 2022. Fishing equipment worth lakhs of rupees, including boats and nets, has also been lost at sea. The repeated accidents have triggered growing unrest among the local fishing community.

Fr Amado also called on the government to appoint a special team led by the Thiruvananthapuram District Collector to study issues faced by fishers operating from Vizhinjam harbour during the monsoon. He further demanded the restoration of the Pozhiyoor road and the construction of a seawall to protect coastal neighbourhoods from sea erosion.