KOCHI, India, Oct 10 (IPS) – Fish workers are often invisible in discussions about climate change, yet they are central to food security. They feed millions of people while struggling to feed their own families. Their struggle for survival is not just about tradition or livelihood – it is about justice. Shouldn’t their future be at the forefront of climate justice debates? Every morning before dawn, fish workers along the coast of Kochi, Kerala, take to the sea and cast their nets in the shadow of the iconic Cheenavala – the Chinese fishing nets that have become a symbol of their community. I witnessed this time-honored tradition, once a reliable means of survival, now a daily gamble, a battle against unpredictable seas and shrinking fish populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable they are; Despite being classified as essential workers, they were left without the protection they needed.
And as climate change tightens its grip, these seafood workers find themselves on the front lines of a new crisis. Rising sea temperatures, erratic weatherThe depletion of fish stocks has pushed them further into despair, forcing them to face a future as uncertain as the waters on which they depend.
Martin, a fish worker from Kochi, Kerala, who smiled and invited me onto his boat, has been fishing for more than 25 years and reflects on the increasing hardships. After explaining to me for a while about the huge boat and the fishing process, he said: ‘In these difficult times, when the government should support us after generations of families have been dependent on fishing, we have nothing left and we are desperate We buy our tools and equipment for fishing, but there is no government help for education or health care.”
Martin continued: ‘Five to six people work on a boat, and money also has to be given to the owner. We have now become dependent on tourism, where we invite tourists, especially foreigners, onto our boats (private property) to explain our craft and fishing process, for which we are sometimes compensated. Some are generous, and some are not. Earlier this was the only way to make money in the rough season (Monsoon fishing ban) but now after climate change this is the only way to make money. this has become the only source of income for us.”
Kochi, once known as Cochin, was one important global trade center. It attracted merchants from Arabia and China in the 14th century, and later the Portuguese established Cochin as their protectorate, making it the first capital of Portuguese India in 1530.
Today, the city’s rich architectural heritage, along with the iconic Cheenavala (Chinese fishing nets), are major tourist attractions. Fishermen use these Chinese fishing nets here as a traditional way of fishing.
Presumably introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He from Kublai Khan’s court, these iconic nets became part of Kochi’s landscape between 1350 and 1450 AD. The technique, which is quite impressive to see, involves large shore-based nets that are suspended in the air from bamboo/teak supports and lowered into the water to catch fish without having to go out to sea. The entire structure is offset by heavy stones, making it an eco-friendly practice that preserves marine life and vegetation, relying solely on natural materials without harmful gadgets.
Once an essential livelihood tool for Kochi’s fish workers, the traditional Cheenavala fishing nets have now become a symbol of a deepening crisis. Climate change, especially the warming of the Arabian Sea, has drastically reduced fish populations.
Ironically, even as the fishing industry faces closures, the government is profiting from promoting this iconic symbol four export-oriented fish processing units in Kerela has been closed in recent months due to the shortage of fish. This stark contrast highlights the growing gap between tradition and survival 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 process began in 2014 when a Chinese delegation, led by Hao Jiaa senior official from the Chinese Embassy in India, met with then Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany to help renovate the nets and suggested building a sidewalk along Fort Kochi beach.
KJ Sohanformer mayor of Kochi and chairman of the Chinese Fishing Net Owners’ Association, expressed support for the Chinese initiative to preserve traditional fishing nets. He emphasized that such large nets, rooted in age-old techniques, are unique to this region. However, he also highlighted the significant neglect of these nets by the government. Insurance companies refuse to cover these and they need to be replaced twice a year, which adds significant costs.
The Tourism Department later ordered the Kerala industrial and technology consultancy organization (KITCO) to renovate 11 of these nets and be allocated 2.4 crore rupees (24 million) along with teak and Malabar for the repairs.
Authorities had initially refused to release funds directly, forcing the owners to start renovations first, with promises of installment payments. It has recently come to light that the boat owners, many of whom took out high-interest loans to begin renovations, are now in financial dire straits as they have not yet received the promised government funds, despite the work being underway for over a year. were completed years ago.
Many took out loans and installed new coconut wood stumps, but even after the work was almost completed, they are still waiting for the money. This leaves fish workers in debt, while authorities blame GST-related issues for the delay. The owners claim they are exempt from the tax.
Fish workers, both men and women, are often invisible in discussions about climate change, yet are at the heart of food security. They feed millions of people while struggling to feed their own families. Their struggle for survival is not just about tradition or livelihood – it is about justice. If the government continues to turn a blind eye, Kerala’s fish workers may have no choice but to seek support elsewhere, from international agencies, non-governmental organizations or global climate finance mechanisms. Their struggles must be recognized and their voices amplified in the pursuit of climate justice.
Kerala’s fish workers are not just fighting the seas, they are fighting for their future. Without immediate action and meaningful support, we risk losing not just their livelihoods, but an entire way of life. If the government cannot seize this opportunity, the world must intervene to ensure these communities are not forgotten.
IPS UN agency report
Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Follow IPS News UN Bureau on Instagram
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service