KOCHI, India, Oct 10 (IPS) – Fishing workers are often invisible in discussions about climate change, but they are at the center of food security, feeding millions as they struggle to provide for their own families. Their fight for survival is not just about tradition or livelihood, but about justice. Shouldn’t their future be at the forefront of the climate justice debate? Every morning before dawn, fishermen along the coast of Kochi in Kerala take to the sea and cast their nets in the shadow of the iconic chinavala (Chinese fishing net). It becomes a symbol of the community. I have seen this time-honored tradition, once a reliable means of survival, now become a daily gamble, pitted against unpredictable seas and dwindling fish populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how vulnerable they are. Despite being classified as essential workers, they were left without the protections they need.
And now, as climate change worsens, fishermen find themselves on the front lines of a new crisis. Rising sea temperatures, unpredictable weather and depleting fish stocks have driven them further into despair, forcing them to navigate a future as uncertain as the water they depend on.
Mr. Martin, a fisherman from Kochi, Kerala, who invited me onto his boat with a smile, is reflecting on the increasingly difficult challenges he has faced after fishing for over 25 years. After a while, after explaining the big boat and the fishing process, he said, “The government needs to support the families who have depended on fishing for generations during these difficult times, but we have nothing left and are desperate.” “We buy tools and equipment for fishing, but there is no government support for education or health care.”
“There are five to six people working on the boat, and we also have to pay the owner,” Martin continued. “Now we are starting to rely on tourism. We invite tourists, especially foreigners, to our boat (private property).” Describe our techniques and fishing processes for which we are sometimes rewarded. Some are generous, some are not. “This used to be our only way to make money during the harsh season (no monsoon fishing), but now after climate change, this is our only source of income.”
Kochi, once known as Cochin, was a major global trade hub. Merchants from Arabia and China flocked here in the 1400s, and later the Portuguese made Cochin their protectorate, making it the first capital of Portuguese India in 1530.
Today, the city’s rich architectural heritage has become a major tourist attraction, along with the iconic Chinavala (Chinese fishing net). Fishermen here use these Chinese fishing nets as a traditional fishing method.
Said to have been introduced by Chinese explorer Zheng He at the court of Kublai Khan, these iconic nets became part of the Kochi landscape between 1350 and 1450 AD. Very impressive to witness, this technology uses large nets suspended in the air by bamboo/teak wood supports and then set on the shore to catch fish without having to go down to the sea. The entire structure is balanced with heavy stones, an eco-friendly practice that preserves marine life and plants by relying only on natural materials without using harmful devices.
Traditional Chinavala fishing nets, once an essential tool for Kochi fishermen’s livelihood, have now become a symbol of the deepening crisis. Climate change, especially the warming of the Arabian Sea, has led to rapid declines in fish populations.
Ironically, the government benefits from promoting this iconic symbol even as the seafood industry is shut down. In Kerela, four export-oriented seafood processing facilities have recently closed due to seafood shortages. This stark contrast highlights the growing disconnect between tradition and survival in the face of climate change.
Despite Chinese 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 Jia, a senior official at the Chinese Embassy in India, met with then-Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany to help repair the nets and set them up along the Fort Kochi beach. It started with a proposal to build a paved road.
KJ Sohan, former Kochi mayor and president of the China Fishing Net Owners Association, expressed support for China’s plan to preserve traditional fishing nets. He emphasized that these large nets, which have their roots in ancient technology, are unique to this region. But he also highlighted the government’s serious disregard for these nets. Insurance companies refuse to cover it, and you incur significant costs because you have to replace it twice a year.
The tourism department later directed the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organization (KITCO) to renovate 11 of these nets and allocated Rs 2.40 crore (24 million) along with teak and Malabar for repairs.
Authorities initially refused to disburse funds directly and required owners to begin renovations first, promising differential payments. It has recently been reported that shipowners who took out high-interest loans to begin construction are facing financial difficulties as they have not yet received the promised government funds even though it has been more than a year since construction was completed.
Many have taken out loans and installed new coconut tree stumps, but are still waiting for funds even after the work is almost complete. This left fishermen in debt and authorities cited GST-related issues for the delay. The owners claim they are exempt from taxes.
Fishery workers, both men and women, are often invisible in discussions about climate change, but they are at the center of food security, feeding millions as they struggle to provide for their own families. Their fight for survival is not just about tradition or livelihood, but about justice. If the government continues to turn a blind eye, fish workers in Kerala may have no choice but to seek support elsewhere, including international organizations, non-governmental organizations and global climate finance mechanisms. Their fight must be recognized, and their voices for climate justice must be amplified.
Kerala’s fishermen are not just fighting against the sea, they are fighting for their own future. Without immediate action and meaningful support, we risk losing not only their livelihoods but their entire way of life. If governments are unable to cope with the situation, the world must step in and ensure that these communities are not left in obscurity.
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