The fisheries industry in Kerala came to a standstill on Thursday as fishermen staged a 24-hour coastal hartal (strike) against the Union government’s decision to auction five offshore blocks for sand and mineral mining. The protest was led by the Fisheries Coordination Committee (FCC), which includes trade unions affiliated with the Left parties and the Congress.
Fishing Industry Shuts Down in Protest
With fishing vessels anchored, fish landing centres closed, and markets shut, fishermen held statewide protests, voicing concerns that offshore mining would harm marine ecosystems and threaten their livelihoods.
The five auctioned blocks—Kollam South, Kollam North, Alappuzha, Ponnani, and Chavakkad—are rich fishing zones. Protesters argue that Quilon Bank, a highly productive fishing ground off the Kollam coast, will become inaccessible due to mining operations, endangering fish populations, particularly sardines and mackerel.
“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,” said FCC member Peter Mathias.
Concerns Over Environmental Impact
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) estimates that around 302 million tonnes of construction-grade sand can be extracted from Kerala’s offshore blocks, with mining depths ranging from 48.4 to 62.4 metres. However, fishermen and trade unions argue that no environmental studies have been conducted to assess the impact on marine life and coastal stability.
“No efforts have been made to convince the coastal people that this is a good move. It sounds like a mysterious plan,” said AR Kannan, a member of a Congress-affiliated fishing trade union.
Kerala Government’s Opposition
Kerala’s Law and Industries Minister P Rajeev stated that the state government had objected to offshore mining on three occasions:
- January 11 – At a Union Ministry of Mines roadshow in Kochi
- January 19 – At the 64th Central Geological Programming Board meeting in Bhubaneswar
- February 13 – Through a formal letter from the Principal Secretary of the Industries Department
Rajeev also criticized Congress MPs for not opposing the 2022 amendments to the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in Parliament.
Wider Implications
The auctioning of offshore mining blocks is not limited to Kerala, with similar auctions planned in Gujarat and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Fishermen fear that if the Kerala protests fail, other coastal communities may face similar challenges.
With protests intensifying, the fishing community in Kerala remains firm in its demand for a complete rollback of the offshore mining plan, warning of larger demonstrations if their concerns are not addressed.
Sources By Agencies
