Fishermen sort their catch in the scorching midday sun at Kollam harbor on Tuesday. | Photo credit: C. SURESHKUMAR
With the mercury rising and the sun offering no quarters, a traditional fishing community is struggling to survive a summer that has made the sea unusually hot. While extreme conditions have forced drastic reductions in working hours, rising temperatures have pushed pelagic fish populations into deeper, colder waters, effectively emptying the territorial zones where traditional boats typically operate.
“Species such as anchovies, sardines and mackerel that normally thrive in territorial waters have migrated to deeper, cooler parts to escape the surface heat. To find even a modest shoal, fishermen are forced to venture miles further into the deep sea. This necessity comes at a high price, the extra fuel required for these extended voyages often outweighs the value of the catch Thiapuramlayru Jackson, who is also Thiapuramlayru Jackson president. Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation.
Published – 28 Apr 2026 21:18 IST
