While the move aims to protect marine life, it inadvertently cast a long shadow on the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen in Kerala.
Published Aug 01, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2024 | 7:00 AM
Shrimps. (iStock)
The once-booming shrimp industry in Kerala is now grappling with a crisis of unprecedented proportions, thanks to a ban imposed by the US on Indian shrimp imports in the name of sea turtle conservation.
While the move aims to protect marine life, it has inadvertently cast a long shadow on the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and their families along the Kerala coast.
Though the Union and state governments assured that the issue would be resolved, the fisherfolk alleged that the apathy of the two in initiating proactive steps had pushed them into the crisis.
Shrimp export to the US is based on an annual certification based partly on overseas verification visits by the US Department of State and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service representatives.
Certification allows for the import of wild-caught shrimp into the United States under Section 609 of Public Law 101-162 (“Section 609”).
According to the Department of State, it has an important role in protecting wildlife all over the world and as part of that mission, each year the Secretary of State (or the Secretary’s delegate) certifies to Congress that governments and authorities of shrimp-harvesting nations and economies have programmes to reduce the incidental taking of sea turtles in shrimp trawl fisheries.
“This decision impacts the ability of countries to export shrimp to US consumers,” stated a document from the Department of State.
The document further highlighted, “Six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Implementation of Section 609 provides considerable benefits to sea turtle species. The US government currently provides technology and capacity-building assistance to other nations to help them protect and revitalise their sea turtle species and to help them certify under Section 609.”
“When properly designed, built, installed, used, and maintained, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) allow 97 percent of sea turtles to escape the shrimp net without appreciable loss of shrimp. The US government encourages similar legislation in other countries to prevent the importation of shrimp harvested in a manner harmful to sea turtles,” it added.
In the case of India, it’s said that the shrimp trawl fishing methods in practice may adversely affect sea turtles, and thus came the ban in 2019.
Talking to South First, Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, general secretary of All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association said, “Each country has its own specialities. In India, going by the reports of agencies like the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and Marine Products Export Development Authority, our coastal waters have a healthy sea turtle population. Moreover, there is not that much presence of turtles on where we fish.”
He further alleged that the ban is to protect the vested interests of some including the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
“First of all, we have our concerns regarding the use of the TEDs. One is that what if the fish as well as other bycatches escape from it? Second is the cost involved with its installation. Our assessment is that a trawling boat needs 12 TEDs and the cost of one will come around ₹30,000. That means, ₹3.60 lakh will have to be spent on each boat. Will the government bear that?” Joseph asked.
He further added that the association has submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister of State for Fisheries (MoS) George Kurian stressing the need to mobilise the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Union Ministry of External Affairs to initiate steps to convince the American counterparts that the fishermen of the state do not indulge in activities that thwart the turtle nesting in Kerala beaches and initiate steps to augment the export of shrimps.
According to Jackson Pollayil, president of Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, for the fishermen, who have been grappling with declining fish stocks and rising fuel prices, the continuation of the ban has become an additional hurdle.
“The ban has a cascading effect on our lives. We used to earn a decent living from shrimp fishing. But now, the prices are so low and has left us struggling to make ends meet,” Jackson told South First.
At the same time, he also pointed out that though there is a ban, the exporters procure shrimp from fishermen at low prices.
“Citing the ban in the US and other countries’ reluctance to take our exports due to it, the exporters procure the shrimp catch from us at low prices. They might convert it to frozen shrimp and use that in the future or might export it to other countries. But those who catch it don’t get any,” added Jackson.
The fisherman then alleged that the meeting convened by the state Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan on 24 July has to be considered as an eyewash as neither the government nor the Fisheries Department initiated any measures to address the issue in the last five years.
“Due to this negligence, the traditional fishing sector has suffered losses in crores. Despite the fishermen getting the highest catch of shrimps in Kerala since the beginning of this season, they are facing a severe financial crisis due to the low price. The government could have announced a financial package. But they didn’t do anything. Thus, the meeting is just a face-saving measure,” said Jackson.
At the same time, Minister Saji Cheriyan stated that the state government will send a delegation to hold talks with the Union Government to find a solution to the ban.
The minister in a statement on 24 July remarked that following the US ban, other countries have also reduced the price of shrimp imported from India by more than half. This has led to a price drop in the domestic market as well, causing a crisis in the fishing industry.
He also added that he had directed the Fisheries Department Director to prepare a proposal for market intervention to address the price drop and submit it immediately.
Talking to South First, KV Thomas, Kerala Government’s special representative in New Delhi said, “Our aim is to restart the export. But for that, we will have to comply with the directions given by the US and European Union. Some concerns were raised by the fishermen like the TED might result in the escape of their catch. But that has not been scientifically proven. A consensus will have to be made.”
He also added that he had appraised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the situation and has proposed to the fisheries minister Saji Cheriyan to prepare a memorandum and come to Delhi.
At the same time, MoS George told reporters that the Union Government would consider providing financial assistance to fishing boats for installing TEDs. He also added that the TEDs developed by the research institutions (like CMFRI and MPEDA) have been cleared by the US regulatory agency.
With the export ban exposing the fragile balance between environmental conservation and economic survival, fisherfolk underscore the urgent need for collaborative solutions that protect both marine life and the welfare of human communities.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
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