According to the parties involved in the fishing sector, the sale of fish seems to increase in the state after being severely affected by fears caused by the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3 freight vessel off the coast of Kochi.
Concerns about consumers about whether it was safe to eat fish appeared when the sunken ship carried 13 containers of dangerous cargo and 12 containers with calcium carbide. After the incident in the middle of the incident, retail sales feared that pollutants could affect the wealth of fish on the coast of Kerala. Currently, the government has banned fishing within a 20-Neuutical mile from the ship.
P. Sahadevan, CEO of Kerala State Cooperative Federation Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed), said the sale of retail stores of the agency was hit on the ship. “Compared to normal times, initially fell by approximately 25%. Sale of fish to institutions in larger quantities through our network has been significantly affected. However, the situation has improved because sales are now gradually increasing,” he said.
Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, the General Congressor of the Association of Operators of the Fishing Ships All Keral, said the prices after the initial fall after the incident recovered. “Mackerel is now sold for 200 kg, while middle sardines cost 150 GBP per retail market. In the early days of the ship, the prices of KG Mackerel and Sardines reduced below 100 ₹,” he said.
Charles George, President of Keral Matsya Thzhilali Aikya Vedi, a Union of Independent Traditional Fishermen, said he had canceled the “Fish Fest” planned in the fishing port of Kalamuku 7 June 2025 at the conclusion that confidence returned to consumers. “Fishermen have reported good catch and sale in the last two days,” he said. The fest was planned to instill confidence among the public that it was safe to consume fish.
Published – 5th June 2025 17:12
