With Climate Change, Government Negligence, Who Should Kerala Fishermen Turn To? – World Problems
KOCHI, India, Oct 10 (IPS) – Fishermen are often invisible in discussions about climate change, yet they are at the heart of food security, feeding millions while struggling to feed their families. Their struggle for survival is not just about culture or livelihood—it is about justice. Shouldn’t their future be at the forefront of climate justice discussions? Every morning before dawn, fishermen off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, head out to sea, casting their nets in the shadow of the iconic Cheenavala—ancient Chinese fishing nets. be a symbol of their community. I saw this time-honored culture, once a reliable way of life, now a daily gamble, fighting unpredictable seas and dwindling fish populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how vulnerable they are; despite being classified as essential workers, they were left without the protection they needed.
And now, as climate change takes hold, these fishermen find themselves at the forefront of a new crisis. Rising sea temperatures, changing climates, and dwindling fish populations have made them even more desperate, forcing them to face an uncertain future like the water they depend on.
Martin, a fisherman from Kochi, Kerala, who smiled and invited me aboard his boat, has been fishing for more than 25 years, reflecting on the increasing difficulty. After a while he explained to me about the big boat and the fishing method, he said, “In these difficult times when the Government is supposed to feed us after generations of families depend on fishing, we are left with nothing and despair. help We buy our own tools and fishing equipment, yet there is no help from the government for education or health.”
Martin continued, “Five to six people work on the boat, and the money must be given to the owner. We have started to rely on tourism, where we invite visitors, especially foreigners, to our boats (private land) to explain our fishing and fishing process, sometimes we get compensation, and others they don’t have this! this has become the only way to get our money.”
Kochi, once known as Cochin, was a major trading center for the rest of the world. It was built by merchants from Arabia and China in the 1400s, and later the Portuguese established Cochin as their protectorate, making it the first Indian Portuguese capital in the 1530s.
Today, the city’s rich architectural heritage, along with the Cheenavala (Chinese fishing nets), are major tourist attractions. Fishermen here use Chinese fishing nets as a traditional method of fishing.
Believed to have been introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He from Kublai Khan’s court, these iconic nets became part of the Kochi landscape between 1350 and 1450 AD. This method, which is truly impressive to witness, involves large, beach nets suspended in the air from bamboo/tree wood and lowered into the water to catch fish without the need to go to sea. The entire structure is opposed to heavy stones, making it an environmentally friendly practice that preserves marine life and plants, relying only on natural materials without harmful gadgets.
Once a vital tool to support the livelihoods of Kochi’s fishermen, the traditional Cheenavala fishing nets are now a symbol of an ongoing crisis. Climate change, particularly the warming of the Arabian Sea, has greatly reduced fish populations.
Ironically, the government is benefiting from promoting this brand as the seafood industry is facing closures, as four export-oriented fish processing units were closed in Kerela months ago due to shortage of fish. This stark contrast highlights the growing divide between culture and life in the face of climate change.
Despite China’s fishing nets being a major tourist attraction, the government has shown little or no interest in preserving them. The initiative began in 2014 when a Chinese delegation, led by Hao Jia, the senior official of the Chinese embassy in India, met the then mayor of Kochi, Tony Chammany, to help repair the nets and proposed building a paved road along the Fort Kochi beach. .
KJ Sohan, former mayor of Kochi and president of the Chinese Fishing Net Owners’ Association, expressed his support for the Chinese plan to preserve traditional fishing nets. He emphasized that such large nets, based on ancient techniques, are unique to this region. However, he also highlighted the government’s significant neglect of these networks. Insurance companies refuse to pay for it, and it needs to be replaced twice a year, which incurs huge costs.
Later the Ministry of Tourism ordered the Kerala Industrial and Technology Consultancy Organization (KITCO) to repair 11 of these nets and allocated 2.4 crore rupees (24 million), along with teakwood and Malabar for the repair.
The authorities initially refused to issue the money directly, requiring the owners to start renovations, with promises of gradual payments. Recently, it has been revealed that most of the boat owners who borrowed money with high interest to start repairs, are in financial trouble as they have not received the money promised to them by the government even though it has been a year since they completed the work.
Many borrow money and install new coconut tree stumps, but even after completing the work, they are still waiting for funds. This has left the fishermen in debt while the authorities cited issues related to GST for the delay. The owners argue that they do not pay taxes.
Fishermen, men and women, are often invisible in climate change discussions, yet they are at the heart of food security, feeding millions while struggling to feed their families. Their struggle for survival is not just about culture or livelihood—it is about justice. If the government continues to turn a blind eye, Kerala’s fishermen may have no choice but to seek support elsewhere, from international organizations, non-governmental organizations, or international financial mechanisms. Their struggles must be acknowledged, and their voices amplified in the push for climate justice.
Kerala fishermen are not just fighting against the sea—they are fighting for their future. Without immediate action and meaningful support, we risk losing not only their livelihood but their entire way of life. If the government cannot stand up, the world must intervene to ensure that these communities do not slip into the open.
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