Fisheries and traditional industry minister J Mercykutty Amma said along the 590km coastline in Kerala, only 7.8 per cent area is free from disaster vulnerabilities. She added that unless the coastal area is protected from inundation, exploitation and dumping of plastic waste, it will affect the livelihood of coastal community, especially fishermen. She assured all support to the coastal community and traditional industries, including cashew. In reply to a query by Latin Catholic Church priest Fr James Culas that Vizhinjam Transhipment Port Terminal works poses a threat to the livelihood of the fishermen community in the area and that it’s not a financially viable project for the state, Mercykutty said it is already approved by the centre and the state government. “As the works at Vizhinjam port has begun, its repercussions are felt at Shankumukham as the sea is encroaching the land and the beach area is eroding. Efforts should be on to protect the coastline, while ensuring proper rehabilitation of the coastal community at Vizhinjam and Shankumukham,” she said. The minister called for sustainable development with integrated coastal management plan without violating Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms. To rehabilitate the coastal community at Vizhinjam, the government had set aside Rs 450 crore package which covers their livelihood and employment options. There is no dearth of funds, but it needs to reach the deserving based on a costal impact study, the minister said. The minister also called for proper sewage waste management to check dumping of waste, mostly plastics and discharge of sewage water from hotels and hospitals into water bodies such as Ashtamudi lake. Set on the slogan “Suchitwa Keralam Sundara Keralam”, the aim of coastal cleanliness will be ensured through the coordinated efforts of Suchitwa Mission with corporation, local self government bodies and other agencies, she said. Responding to the pleas of National Fish Workers Federation (NFF) secretary T Peter, the minister said “pair trawling” activity carried out by means of a trawl dragged between two boats that two one warp of the trawl net mostly by foreign vessels will not be permitted as it declines the fish resources and affects the livelihood of traditional fishermen. Similarly, trawling with China nets, Kuttivala and Ettamkettal mesh nets affects fish resources and it needs to be checked. Though square type mesh nets are not permitted for trawling, Matsyafed distributes it to fishermen, because only such nets are available in the market and that needs to be checked, the minister said. She has also welcomed the proposal to set up a museum to display the tools and wares of fishermen and traditional sector. On the suggestions of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) retired principal scientist GP Kumaraswamy, the minister said, “Discussions were held with CMFRI scientists on permitted size of mesh nets for fishing, on setting up landing centre and harbours.” She also spelled out the need for artificial reefs to protect marine resources and to check sea erosion. To the recommendation of laying rocks inside the sea and to build bunds along coast to check sea erosion, the minister indicated that it requires a relook and there can be no uniform solution for the entire coastline. The minister also welcomed the suggestion of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry director and chairman of cashew exporters Beta Group J Rajmohan Pillai in developing brand of organic cashew in Kerala and to promote cashew apple, which is rich in Vitamin C.
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