Lok Sabha Question No. 312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Financial Assistance to Fishing Communities in Kerala
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh, Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 312 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  JULY, 2025

## Financial Assistance to Fishing Communities in Kerala

## 312.    Shri Hibi Eden:

Adv. Dean Kuriakose: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh:

Will  the  Minister  of FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is aware of the disruption to fishing activities caused to fisherfolk following the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 and the fire on MV Wan Hai 503 off the Kerala coast, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  financial  supports/reliefs  and compensation for fishermen and fisherfolk in light of such incidents, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representation from the State Government of Kerala to provide compensation to the fishermen who lost their livelihood due to the incidents;
- (d) whether the Government is coordinating with experts to assess the long-term impact of such incidents on the quality and safety of edible marine species and the ecological sustainability of traditional fishing grounds, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government has conducted or supported any scientific assessment of the impact of plastic nurdle contamination, hazardous cargo leakage or ecosystem degradation on fish stocks, breeding grounds and livelihood of coastal fishing communities, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f) whether the Government has conducted a study in this regard, if so, the details thereof and key finds of such study;
- (g) whether the Government proposes any restoration measures in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and
- (h) whether the Ministry is coordinating with the M/o Shipping and Environment to ensure accountability, clean-up and long term marine biodiversity protection in affected zones?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a): The cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck carrying 643 containers occurred on 2425 May 2025, approximately 39 nautical miles (Nm) south off Kochi, Kerala whereas the incident of MV Wan Hai 503 happened on 09th June 2025 at around 130 Nm North West of Kochi, Kerala. The Government of Kerala has informed that, in connection with MSC ELSA 3, the fishermen especially those of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulum districts were effected during 25 th  May to 1 st  June, 2025.

(b):  The Government of Kerala has informed that in response to MSC ELSA 3 interim relief  has  already  been  provided  to  the  affected  fishermen  with  financial  assistance @Rs.1000/- per family to 1,05,518 marine fishermen families (including 78,498 marine fishermen families and 24,020 allied fishermen families) from the SDRF, along with 6 kg of rice per family for compensating for their livelihood loss that occurred due to the mishap.

(c):   Yes, Sir.

(d) to  (f): The Government of Kerala has informed that, in connection with MSC ELSA 3, as an immediate response, the Disaster Management Department of Kerala State had issued advisories to the fishermen on 25 th  May, 2025, instructing fishermen not to venture within a 20 nautical mile radius of the sunken vessel. The Government of Kerala informed that  high-level  meeting  was  convened  with  the  scientists  of  ICAR-Central  Institute  of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kerala  University  of  Fisheries  and  Ocean  Studies  (KUFOS)  and  representatives  of fishermen on 28th May, 2025 to discuss the possible ecological impact and necessary actions  to  be  taken  for  protection  of  fishery  resources  and  livelihood  of  fishermen. Accordingly, on 19.06.2025, a Joint Coordination Committee was constituted by the State Government of Kerala with representatives from KUFOS, CMFRI, CIFT, State Pollution Control Board, Food Safety, National Health Mission, and Coastal Police to review the scenario and to conduct necessary sampling, testing of water, and fish in accordance with the standard protocols. The test reports revealed that the fish samples were all in good condition, and no objectionable smell or flavour was observed, and the pH, salinity and the conductivity of water samples were within the normal range. The preliminary analysis of water and fish samples revealed that there were no trace or the presence of oil content, no  direct  evidence  to  prove  the  presence  of  hazardous  chemicals,  and  that  the  fish samples  from  the  coasts  of  Ernakulam,  Alappuzha,  and  Kollam,  etc.  were  safe  for consumption. It is also been informed that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been entrusted through the Environment Department of Kerala to undertake multisectoral loss assessment and impact study both short term and long term.

(g) & (h): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has approved the projects worth  of  Rs.13.02  crore  for  installation  of  artificial  reefs  along  the  Kerala  coast  for rejuvenation and restoration of fish stocks. Government of India is committed for long-term sustainability and biodiversity protection with coordinated efforts of related Ministries.