The blockade imposed by the siltation at the harbour mouth of Muthalapozhy, a fishing village in Kerala, has been alleviated to some extent with the government’s decision to secure five fish landing centres with mooring facilities in Kollam. These temporary anchorages would enable the fishermen from Muthalapozhy to resume fishing operations, thereby providing much-needed relief to the beleaguered community. The harbour mouth siltation has rendered the waters at Muthalapozhy perilous and choppy, resulting in loss of life, injury to boat crews, and damage to expensive fishing gear, including nets. In fact, over the years, accidents at the harbour mouth have claimed at least 18 lives and injured scores of others. The local fishers’ union office-bearer stated that the relocation of fishing vessels to the Kollam district would entail more losses for the residents of Muthalapozhy. The community was distraught, as the economic activity, including fish wholesale and retail and fishing sector-related businesses, would diminish. A modern harbour ensuring smooth ingress and egress of fishing boats without the fear of capsizing at the estuary’s turbulent inlet was the only lasting solution for Muthalapozhy, according to the office-bearer.
- The government has secured five fish landing centres with mooring facilities in Kollam for the fishermen from Muthalapozhy.
- The anchorages are located at Jonakapuram, Vadi, Muthakkara, Port Kollam, and Thankassery.
- These temporary anchorages would enable the fishermen to resume fishing operations.
The government has taken several measures to address the concerns of the traditional fishers in Kollam. They have directed the Marine Enforcement wing to confiscate the catches of those who resort to “LED fishing” and prosecute them under the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act (KMFRA) provisions.
LED fishing refers to the use of submerged powerful LED lights to concentrate fish shoals for easy harvesting by lawbreakers in the fishing sector.
Submarine fishing refers to the use of submarine-type fishing gear that can be deployed at the seafloor to catch fish. The government has also commandeered six dredgers to expedite the desilting operations at the Muthalapozhy harbour mouth. This would help to clear the silt and restore the harbour to its original state.
The government’s decision to secure anchorages in Kollam has provided a much-needed respite for the fishermen from Muthalapozhy. However, the traditional fishers in Kollam have raised concerns about the alleged use of submerged powerful LED lights for easy harvesting by lawbreakers.
“We fear that using the banned fishing method would wreck our livelihood. We demand a separate colour code for boats reaching anchorages in Kollam from Muthalapozhy and step up enforcement to protect the marine environment,”
said a representative of the traditional fishers in Kollam. Facilitated Fishing
The government has taken several steps to facilitate fishing operations in Kollam. The Fisheries department has directed the Marine Enforcement wing to ensure that the fishing vessels are registered and licensed to operate in the Kollam district.
- The Fisheries department has directed the Marine Enforcement wing to ensure that the fishing vessels are registered and licensed to operate in the Kollam district.
- The Marine Enforcement wing has been instructed to confiscate the catches of those who resort to “LED fishing” and prosecute them under the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act (KMFRA) provisions.
In conclusion, the government’s decision to secure anchorages in Kollam has provided a much-needed respite for the fishermen from Muthalapozhy. However, it is essential to address the concerns of the traditional fishers in Kollam and ensure that the marine environment is protected. The government must take further measures to facilitate fishing operations and prevent the use of banned fishing methods, such as LED fishing.
