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New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Dissatisfied with disaster response, more fishers' groups to move court seeking urgent intervention
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dissatisfied with the state government's disaster response, more associations representing fishermen communities in Kerala are preparing to approach the High Court seeking urgent intervention over the recent container ship accidents and wrecks that have severely impacted their livelihood and the marine environment. The back-to-back maritime disasters along the state's coastline have plunged the fishing community into deep distress, with growing concerns over long-term ecological damage and declining income. The wrecks have disrupted fishing activities, damaged gear, and triggered a decline in fish demand. On Thursday, the High Court heard a petition filed by a Congress-affiliated fishermen's body highlighting these issues. Now, more groups are joining the legal fight. The Theera Bhoo Samrakshana Vedhi has decided to join the case, and efforts are underway to mobilise individual petitions from affected fishers across the coastal districts. Ahead of the legal move, many of these complaints are being formally submitted to the Chief Minister's Office as part of legal formalities. Meanwhile, the Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation is preparing a separate petition, focusing on the long-term consequences of the shipwrecks. The federation is also expected to legally challenge the government's decision to include the tourism sector under the list of disaster-affected categories while allegedly sidelining the direct and severe impact on the fishing community. General secretary of Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation Jackson Pollayil said that the government was hesitant to file a case against the shipping company. 'We are still suspicious of the sections under which the case has been registered. They took this step a day before HC hearing and all this shows government loyalty is not towards the affected families,' said Jackson Pollayil. He said that long-term interventions lasting for years need to be ensured to minimise and mitigate the environmental pollution. 'Fishermen are unable to go fishing and whoever went fishing suffered losses because of the shipwreck. The containers and other waste spilled from the ship have drifted and caused damage to the fishing equipment,' he said.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Activists highlight socio-ecological crisis
T'puram: As part of World Ocean Day, activists displayed an art installation in Valiyathura on June 8, symbolising the vast socio-ecological crisis that unfolded after the container ship MSC Elsa 3 sank off Alappuzha coast. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The display, symbolising the shipping company through a ship model, was set against the backdrop of plastic nurdles that washed ashore. It raised messages reading, 'no time to waste'. "The people have the right to know and expect a detailed statement on the circumstances of the accident, as well as a comprehensive clean-up and compensation plan from MSC, who have not yet communicated even after two weeks," said Jackson Pollayil, state president of Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation. "While the decarbonisation of the shipping industry and global plastics pollution are discussed at the UN Ocean conference, major profitable shipping companies such as MSC can no longer shy away from their responsibility," said Amruta S N, climate campaigner at Greenpeace India. tnn
New Indian Express
09-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Activists at Valiyathura highlight shipwreck impact on Ocean Day
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of World Ocean Day on Sunday, activists gathered at Valiyathura beach to highlight the environmental impact of the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck. The event featured a ship mascot set against a backdrop of plastic nurdles that have washed ashore since the wreck. The display carried the message 'no time to waste'. Plastic nurdles have been found along the Kerala coast and parts of Tamil Nadu after the shipwreck. The spill has sparked concerns about marine life, coastal ecosystems and fishing livelihoods. This comes just four years after a similar disaster off the Sri Lankan coast involving the X-Press Pearl. Robert Panipilla, ocean conservationist and founder of Friends of Marine Life, said the damage to marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods must be addressed. He demanded that MSC release the full cargo details. Jackson Pollayil, state president of the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, criticised the company for remaining silent even after two weeks of the incident and called for a full clean-up and compensation plan. Amruta S N, a climate campaigner with Greenpeace India, urged MSC to assess the damage, pay compensation and carry out restoration work.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Fisher federation in Kerala urges Vizhinjam port officials to disclose cargo details of sunken vessel
Kochi: The Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation has urged Vizhinjam port authorities to disclose the details of the containers loaded on the sunken ship, MSC ELSA 3, and the exact content in the cargo. Federation president Jackson Pollayil said there were several reports on the cargo, which are causing unease among fishing communities and coastal inhabitants. The customs and port officials must provide a precise explanation and clarify whether adverse weather or technical issues led to the vessel's sinking, he said. Any official oversights warrant thorough investigation, regardless of the cause, Pollayil said. The federation expressed concern over the absence of comprehensive reports detailing goods handled at the port, despite authorities possessing the information. An expert assessment should evaluate the environmental consequences of potential leakages, including chemicals like Calcium Carbide and fuel from the vessel, he said. "The port authority and customs officials at Vizhinjam Port possess knowledge about the precise contents within these containers. Hence, the Vizhinjam International Port managing director must address public apprehensions," Pollayil said. He said compensation should be given to affected fishers following the sinking and called upon the ministry of shipping to install buoys marking the wreckage site to prevent fishing-related accidents.
