Kerala Fishermen Stopped Fishing to Protest against Offshore Mining
Fishermen protest over the center’s decision to build offshore mining near shores of Kerela. To put the livelihood of fishermen at stake. FCC claims no environmental assessment is done and might have negative impacts.
Fishing agencies, trawlers, and fishermen went on a strike after the Union Ministry decided to develop sand and oil mining operations five blocks towards the sea leading to poor fishing. Moreover, it is said that fish will move towards the water even more when there is a solid construction established in the water.
The Fishery Coordination committee which is backed by fishing unions and left party members called for coastal Hartaal for 24 hours primarily aimed towards the decision of the Union Minister. With fishing vessels anchored to the shore and fish markets going dry, a large number of fishermen had protested and were a part of the strike. They also raised concerns regarding marine life and how the ecosystem can be damaged entirely because of offshore mining.
The lives of the fishermen will also be at stake if the offshore rigs are formed. There are five key regions where the Center has decided to build offshore mines. These regions include South Kollan, North Kollam, Allapuzah, Ponnani, and Chavakkad. Fishermen also claim that the area is highly active for Mackerels and Sardines which yield high.
“This is a question of our survival. If we lose here, the fishing community will cease to exist. We will oppose the mining process at any cost,” claimed a member of the FCC. The Union Government came up with the decision after the regions were identified to be rich in construction sands and other minerals. Moreover, 302 million tonnes of sand can be extracted from the depth of 48 meters to 62 meters.
“No environmental studies have been conducted to estimate the impact of the mining on the marine resources and the coast. No efforts have been made to convince the people of the coast that this is a good move. It sounds like a mysterious plan,” claimed one of the members of the FCC, holding a membership from Congress as well.
According to P. Rajeev, the State Government had opposed the decision of the Center claiming “The first opposition was raised at a roadshow organized by the union ministry of mines in Kochi on January 11, followed by a second objection at the 64th Central Geological Programming board meeting in Bhubaneswar on January 19. The third objection was made through a letter sent on February 13 by the principal secretary of the industries department,” He also added “Congress MPs did not raise objections when the amendments were proposed in 2022 to the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.”
