A Enhancing Law for Marine Sustainability

 

Dr. Sophia Margaret Joseph

 

 

Kerala’s fisheries sector showcases a harmonious blend of conservation, innovation and community empowerment.

 

Kerala’s fisheries sector emotionally connects with lifeline of millions. As the world grapples with the consequences of marine degradation and over exploitation, the State harnessed the bell with its legislative scaffolding for marine sustainability. Crafting rigorous legislation and its enforcement with community involvement, scientific rigor and technological advancement is the new approach to enhance marine conservation with higher yields, rejuvenation of ecosystems and empowering the socio-economic fabric of Kerala’s coastal population. Teeming with over 300 fish species, Kerala’s marine waters hold around 40 fish items of commercial significance which include seer fish, ribbonfish, prawns, and mackerel among others. The State’s average per capita fish consumption is 24.4 kg against the national figure of 3.5 kg, underlining the pivotal role of fisheries sector in the regional food security.

While, a combination of overfishing, unsustainable practices, and climatic aberrations started tapering off the rich marine bounty the State of Kerala harnessed enforcing the amendment to the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation (KMFR) Act 2018, which include the Minimum Legal Size (MLS) restrictions for 58 fish species to juvenile fishing. As a result, the industry contributed 15,482 crores to the state’s Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2023–24 accounting for 1.51% of its GDP and a significant 15.14% of the primary sector. Over one million individuals derive their livelihood—directly or indirectly—from fisheries, with 10.65-lakh fisher folk (comprising 3.17% of the state’s population) forming the backbone of this sector.

The fleet includes 3,777 mechanised boats, 31,612 motorised vessels, and 3,609 traditional crafts, spread across 222 marine and 113 inland fishing villages. More than 2.4-lakh workers are formally registered with the Kerala Fishermen Welfare Fund Board, with an additional 85,094 engaged in allied sectors such as fish marketing, net repair, and processing. Now, a strengthened KMFR Act provides the legislative scaffolding for Kerala’s marine sustainability initiatives. Central to this framework is the establishment of participatory, three-tier Fisheries Management Councils (FMCs) at state, district, and village levels while ensuring the active involvement of communities in policy and conservation decisions.

 

Reform includes:

• Enforcing MLS for 58 species to prevent premature harvests.

• Use of square mesh cod ends in trawl nets, facilitating the escape of juvenile fish and reducing the catch.

• Mandatory Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to protect endangered marine life.

• Installation of Vessel Tracking Devices (VTD) and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to bolster maritime safety and monitoring.

• Deployment of standardised fishing gear to minimise ecological harm. • Requirement of navigational and safety apparatus on vessels.

One standout initiative is the mandated use of square mesh codends particularly in shrimp trawl nets allowing undersized fish and non-target species to escape. Their implementation along the Kerala coast has demonstrably reduced bycatch, contributing to marine biodiversity and long-term stock viability.

 

Global Trade and Government Commitment

Kerala is an export powerhouse in marine products. In 2022–23, it exported 2.18 lakh tonnes of seafood worth 8,285.03-crore (US$1.05 billion), featuring prominently in shrimp, squid, and cuttlefish exports. Ranking third in quantity and second in value across India, Kerala’s dominance is bolstered by skilled labour, modernised harbours, and processing infrastructure. To accelerate the momentum the government has stepped up with the following initiatives:

• Subsidies for gear modernisation and vessel motorisation.

• Interest-free loans for women fish vendors.

• Infrastructure investments in sanitation, roads, and housing.

• Insurance coverage and welfare programmes under the Kerala Fishermen Welfare Fund.

• Employment generation schemes including microfinance and term loans

 

Innovation in Conservation

Kerala’s conservation measures extend beyond policy to science-backed action. Notable strategies include:

• The annual trawl ban, extended from 47 to 52 days.

• Artificial reef deployment, with over 4,190 modules across 17 coastal sites and another 6,300 module in 42 fishing villages of Thiruvananthapuram alone.

• Technological upgrades such as online registration, colourcoded vessel identification, LED information boards, camera surveillance at 10 harbours.

• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification drives for species like black clam, oil sardine, and deep-sea shrimp.

• Introduced participatory fisheries management and enforcement of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for 58 species to combat juvenile fishing

• Three-tier Fisheries Management Councils were established to encourage stakeholder participation in planning and conservation.

Enforcement outcomes are equally telling between 2017 and 2023, the KMFR Act facilitated 28,630 sea rescues, saved 269 lives, registered 1,410 violations, and collected 11.89 crores in fines. With continued innovation, deeper investment in climate resilience and a steadfast commitment to inclusive development the state is poised to lead the country into a new era of responsible marine stewardship.

 

-The writer is Deputy Director at Fisheries Directorate, Government of Kerala