Financial troubles mount for Kerala's fisherfolk in southern coast after shipwreck

Thaddeus told The Federal, “We’ve already been out of work due to heavy rains and rough seas — no boats have gone to the outer sea for the past three days. Now, with the vessel sinking, containers drifting, and the government banning fishing activities, it’s become impossible to go out. We don’t know how long this will go on, and we’re at a complete loss about what to do.”

MT Mohammed Basheer, another fisherman from Kayamkulam, Alappuzha said, “Even though many boats haven’t ventured into the sea over the past few days, some are still out there and have yet to return. The floating containers pose a serious threat to their safety. With authorities yet to reveal what’s inside these containers, we have no idea what to expect. If the water is already contaminated, people may stop buying fish altogether. And with the annual trawling ban set to begin on June 15, we’re staring at a famine-like situation.”

Double blow

This is the dire situation of the fishermen community in the southern coastline. For the fisherfolk of southern Kerala, it’s a double blow — the early monsoon rains and the shipwreck have together dealt a harsh and unexpected setback.

The waters along Kerala’s southern coast, a lifeline for thousands of fisherfolk, are under threat following the cargo shipwreck off the Kochi coast.

Also read: Kerala: Containers from sunken Liberian ship wash ashore, triggering fresh concerns

The marine disaster, compounded by the potential spillage of hazardous materials, has sparked widespread alarm among coastal communities, environmentalists, and local leaders. With 643 containers from the sunken vessel either floating aimlessly or washed ashore, the lack of transparency about their contents has deepened fears about the ecological and economic fallout.

As the monsoon season brings fishing activities to a halt, the looming threat of chemical contamination and disrupted marine ecosystems could devastate the livelihoods of those who depend on the sea.

Lack of transparency

The Liberia-flagged container ship MSC Elsa 3, en route to ports in Tuticorin, Adani Port, Kochi, and Mangaluru, sank under circumstances that remain unclear. Authorities have yet to confirm whether adverse weather or a technical failure caused the vessel to capsize, raising questions about whether this incident could have been prevented.

“It has not even been made clear whether adverse weather or a technical failure was the primary cause of the shipwreck,” pointed out TJ Angelos, former MP and Alappuzha district secretary of the CPI.

“A high-level committee should be appointed to conduct a scientific study on the matter,” he said.

The Disaster Management Authority has revealed that 13 of the ship’s containers carried hazardous chemicals, including calcium carbide, a substance that reacts with water to produce acetylene gas, which is highly flammable and toxic. Approximately 70 containers were reportedly empty, some of which have been washed ashore in areas between Kollam and Alappuzha, districts known for their rich biodiversity.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid contact with these containers, but the absence of detailed information about their contents has fuelled public anxiety.

“The uncertainty over whether chemicals have leaked into the sea is alarming the fishing community,” said Charles George, president of the Kerala Fish Workers Coordination Committee, adding that the government must disclose the contents of the containers and conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Also read: Cargo ship sinks off Kerala coast as salvage bid fails, efforts on to contain oil spill

The lack of transparency is particularly troubling given that a bill of lading, which details the contents of containers loaded onto a ship, is standard practice in maritime transport.

“Neither the central agencies nor the Kerala Disaster Management Authority has provided specifics about what the ship was carrying, prompting accusations of governmental opacity. The absence of information raises questions about governmental transparency,” noted Charles George.

Ecological impact

The potential environmental impact of the shipwreck is dire. The leakage of chemicals, calcium carbide, and fuel from the vessel has already caused significant damage to the marine ecosystem, according to local leaders.

Areas like Thottappally, famous for its unique fish aggregation process known as chakara, are particularly vulnerable. This phenomenon, where fish gather in large numbers due to specific oceanographic conditions, is critical to the region’s fishing economy. Chemical contamination could disrupt this delicate process, with long-lasting consequences for marine life and the fisherfolk who rely on it.

The timing of the disaster could not be worse. With the monsoon season suspending fishing activities, the region’s fisherfolk are already grappling with financial strain. As the seasonal trawling ban, a critical period for the industry, is fast approaching, the situation is extremely concerning for the marine industry.

“The potential contamination of fish stocks, particularly sardines, which have already seen declining production due to rising sea temperatures, could further erode the community’s economic stability. Many fish species had begun returning to shallower waters with the onset of rains, but the shipwreck threatens to reverse this recovery” said George.

Fears of chemical contamination

The economic ripple effects extend beyond the fishing community. Consumer confidence in the safety of fish from Kerala’s southern coast is waning, with many starting to avoid purchasing the fish due to fears of chemical contamination. This decline in demand could exacerbate the financial woes of the fisherfolk, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet during the monsoon-induced fishing ban.

Angelos has called for practical measures to mitigate these risks, stating, “To prevent accidents involving fishermen in the area where the ship sank, buoys should be installed and special markers should be placed.” Such precautions could help protect fisherfolk as they prepare to resume operations, but the government has yet to announce any concrete steps in this direction.

The long-term implications of the shipwreck are equally concerning. The fishing industry, a cornerstone of Kerala’s coastal economy, supports thousands of families and contributes significantly to the state’s food security and export market.

A prolonged disruption could push many fisherfolk into poverty, prompting calls for government intervention.

Also read: Kerala: More containers fall into sea as Liberian ship tilts further; entire crew rescued

“A long-term compensation scheme must be formulated for the fishing community that lost their livelihoods due to the spread of chemicals from the cargo ship into the coastal waters,” Angelos urged. Without such support, the region’s fisherfolk face an uncertain future.

Environmentalists are also sounding the alarm about the broader ecological impact. The waters between Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha districts are home to diverse marine species, and any chemical leakage could have cascading effects on the food chain.

Calcium carbide, in particular, poses a significant threat. When exposed to water, it produces acetylene gas, which can harm marine life and contaminate fish stocks. The lack of clarity about whether other chemicals were present in the containers only heightens these concerns.

Questions also linger about the sinking of the ship. According to Charles George, it is improbable for a vessel to capsize due to a single breach, as modern ships are designed with multiple compartments to maintain buoyancy.

“The reported 26-degree tilt leading to the ship’s capsizing has raised eyebrows, with some speculating that additional factors, such as improper loading or structural failure, may have contributed. A thorough investigation is critical to understanding the incident and preventing future disasters,” opined the leader of a fish workers’s union leader.

Genuine concerns

"These may well be conspiracy theories, but the concerns raised by the fishermen are genuine and warrant a thorough investigation," said an official from the state Fisheries Department.

"The government has scheduled a meeting of fish workers’ unions and officials on May 28, where all these issues will be taken up for discussion," added the official.

As the crisis unfolds, the fishing community is left in limbo, caught between economic hardship and environmental uncertainty.

For now, the fisherfolk of Kerala’s southern coast can only wait, hoping for answers and action before the damage becomes irreversible.