Plunging catches and policy delays hit fisheries sector

It is almost a month into the post-trawl ban season, a period usually marked by bustling docks and overflowing catches. But a grim shadow of uncertainty hangs over Keralam’s coastline as empty nets and grounded boats tell a story of quiet desperation. Barren waters, unrelenting weather bans, and tragic accidents have brought the fishing community to its knees while the promise of government relief remains out of reach. Both traditional fishers and boat operators say they are caught in a deep economic crisis, facing prolonged periods of unemployment with little clarity on relief or compensation from the government.

As hostile weather patterns escalate along the coast, fishers point to a growing gap between official assurances and ground realities. Charles George, State president of the Kerala Matsyathozhilali Aikya Vedi, says overall fish production has dropped drastically. “Catches of staple varieties like sardine and mackerel have dwindled to nominal figures, raising fears of a complete collapse in coming days,” he says. He also points out that nearly 30 days of fishing bans have already been enforced over the past two months alone, leaving workers stripped of their basic livelihood. “The government must urgently announce a concrete financial package for fishers. There is currently a complete lack of clarity surrounding government support,” he adds.

In Keralam’s marine fisheries sector, official databases frequently fail to capture the full spectrum of actual sea-going workforce. While registered boat owners and a percent of fishers are documented, a section of seasonal and daily-wage deckhands along with allied workers fall through the administrative cracks. During crisis periods, unlisted workers are entirely excluded from relief payouts, creating widespread resentment and severe economic distress. “The State government should immediately compile an accurate registry of all affected workers and convene a formal meeting to directly address their grievances,” says Mr George.

The operational crisis is equally severe for mechanised sector, which is grappling with unprecedented weather disruptions and sharp drops in high-value catches. Peter Mathias, President of the All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association, says a relentless series of weather warnings have brought commercial activity to a standstill. The economic fallout of the shortage is already cascading through marine markets. “Seasonal landings have plummeted to less than a quarter of last year’s yields. Key export-grade species — including squid, cuttlefish, and deep-sea prawns (karikkadi) are in critically short supply. Cuttlefish landings have dropped below 25% of normal seasonal levels, forcing market rates to skyrocket past ₹500 per kg compared to the usual ₹300–400 average. Similarly, extreme scarcity has driven squid prices up to ₹800 per kg,” he says.

Despite assurances made in the State Budget, authorities are yet to establish a concrete relief framework capable of delivering direct financial compensation equivalent to the daily wages lost when boats were forced to stay ashore. “This is an unprecedented trend, and weather forecasts indicate that such disruptions will continue. The government cannot remain a passive bystander while fishers are forced into idleness and starvation. The State must transition from temporary fixes to a structured, guaranteed compensation policy to prevent the coastal economy from collapsing entirely,” adds Mr. Mathias.