Fishermen Need Higher Compensation During Weather Bans, Says Coastal Development Agency

Thiruvananthapuram, August 7, 2026: The Coastal Area Development Agency for Liberation has urged the government to substantially increase compensation for fishermen who lose their livelihood when official weather warnings prevent them from going to sea.

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency said weather-related restrictions were essential to protect fishermen’s lives but argued that the government also had a constitutional and moral responsibility to adequately compensate them for the income lost during such periods.

The agency said fishing families often lose their only source of income for every day they are prevented from venturing into the sea because of depressions, cyclones, strong winds, high waves or rough sea conditions.

The existing compensation, it said, was “in no way proportionate to the actual loss of income and the rising cost of living.”

It called for an immediate review of the compensation based on fishermen’s average daily earnings, inflation and household expenses. The revised amount, it said, should be disbursed without delay, particularly since compensation for such livelihood losses has already been recognised as government policy.

The agency also expressed concern over the increasing number of fishermen reported missing at sea and delays in rescue operations.

General Secretary Joseph Jude and Director Father Dr Celestine Puthenpurakal called for a stronger and more efficient marine rescue mechanism supported by modern technology.

They proposed establishing a 24-hour state-level Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to ensure immediate action whenever fishermen are reported missing.

The agency said a coordinated search involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Marine Police and Fisheries Department should begin immediately after a distress report is received.

It also urged wider deployment of satellite technology, drones, helicopters and advanced surveillance systems to strengthen search and rescue operations.

The agency further called for effective communication systems and emergency distress-signalling equipment to be made mandatory on all fishing vessels, with government assistance provided to fishermen to install and maintain the equipment.

Joseph Jude, KRLCC