Expressing their strong resentment against the Dr Meena Kumari Commission Report before the scientific community at the World Ocean Science Congress (WOSC-2015), the fishing community of Kerala said implementation of the Commission’s recommendations would adversely affect their livelihood and lead to their displacement.
Participating in the National Fishermen’s Meet held on the sidelines of the WOSC-2015, the representatives of various trade unions of the fishing workers said that allowing large fishing vessels to enter into the deep-sea fishing territory of the local fishermen will adversely affect the livelihood of the coastal community.
Vijnana Bharati Secretary General A Jayakumar said the government should consider putting in place a special insurance system for the fishing community, given the challenges and risks that they face while going for deep sea fishing. He urged the representatives to chalk out a strategy to resolve the issues faced by the coastal community and submit it to the central government.
The fishing workers’ representatives also stressed on the need for greater interaction between the researchers and the fisherfolk to help improve the livelihood of the fishing community.