A collaborative summit convened by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) highlighted the pressing need for distinct solutions to address challenges in the inland and marine fisheries sectors. Fishermen, fish workers, aquaculturists, and experts gathered to emphasize the importance of tailored approaches to tackle issues unique to each segment of the industry.
Representatives from the fishing community brought attention to the oversight of traditional problems and the ineffectiveness of generalized solutions. The summit underscored the urgency for individualized strategies, urging policymakers to address problems specific to each community. Key concerns ranged from environmental pollution to the promotion of sustainable aquaculture practices, necessitating intervention from both Union and State governments.
Kerala, with its extensive 590 km coastal line, hosts 222 marine fishery workers’ villages with over a million workers, of which more than half are women engaged in fish retail marketing. In contrast, the state accommodates over 2.38 lakh inland fishermen, dependent on harvesting fish from 44 rivers, five backwaters, and 81 reservoirs. The summit addressed challenges such as overfishing and unscientific trawling, emphasizing the urgency of integrating fishery workers into aquaculture production processes.
The gathering shed light on the critical situation demanding immediate attention, with Kerala’s annual fish consumption exceeding 25 kg per person, surpassing the global average. However, marine fish landings stand at 5.5 lakh tonnes and inland fish landings at 1.7 lakh tonnes, falling significantly short of the local demand of over 10 lakh tonnes. The deficit is met through imports, accounting for 40% of the demand.
Additionally, the summit brought attention to the struggles of fish farmers in Kerala, who face challenges such as a lack of demand for farm-fresh fish, leading some to shut down their aquaculture units. Fishermen called upon the Fisheries department to engage in discussions with stakeholders, including local fishery workers and farmers, to formulate and implement effective solutions to the multifaceted challenges faced by the fisheries sector.
