Coastal communities stage hartal against sea mining

A 24-hour hartal has commenced across the state's coastal regions, as fishermen and allied workers protest the central government's initiative to mine the seabed off the state's coast. The strike, organized by the Fisheries Coordination Committee, has led to a complete cessation of fishing activities, with ports, fish landing centres, and markets remaining closed. Protest demonstrations and public meetings are being held at 125 locations statewide.
The central government's proposal involves extracting minerals from a 242-square-kilometre area off the Kollam coast, following the Geological Survey of India's identification of approximately 745 million tonnes of sea sand deposits suitable for construction. This plan has been met with significant opposition from local communities and political entities, who argue that such activities could severely disrupt marine ecosystems and jeopardize the livelihoods of those dependent on fishing.
T N Prathapan, chairman of the Fisheries Coordination Committee and working president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, emphasized that while the hartal aims to voice strong dissent, it is designed to minimize public inconvenience. "We do not intend to disrupt daily life; vehicles will not be stopped, and shops will remain open. However, all port operations are halted, and there will be no sale of fish during this period," Prathapan stated.
The fishing industry is a cornerstone of Kerala's economy, directly employing around 250,000 individuals, with an additional 1.5 million people relying on it indirectly. The state boasts approximately 4,000 trawling boats and over 25,000 other fishing vessels. The proposed deep-sea mining activities have raised concerns about potential adverse effects on fish populations and the broader marine environment, which could, in turn, impact the state's food security and economic stability.
Political parties across the spectrum have expressed solidarity with the protesting fishermen. The CPI-M, CPI  and the Indian National Congress have all extended their support to the hartal. These parties have criticized the central government's 'Blue Economy' policy, alleging that it prioritizes corporate interests over the welfare of coastal communities.
In a recent assembly session, State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian announced intentions to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the central government's decision. "We cannot allow our marine resources to be exploited at the cost of our environment and the livelihoods of our people," Cherian asserted. The opposition has also intensified its protests, with the Congress party organizing continuous demonstrations to highlight the issue.
Environmental experts have weighed in on the debate, acknowledging the potential industrial benefits of accessing minerals like silica and manganese through deep-sea mining. However, they caution that such activities could lead to significant disruptions in traditional fishing zones, adversely affecting both the marine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. Studies conducted by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies indicate that while there is potential for resource extraction, the ecological costs may outweigh the benefits. Open URL