Vizhinjam Port may not affect fish landing?

In a bid to allay the fears of South Kerala fishermen that operation of Vizhinjam port could affect fishing landing, a Central government institute has come out with statistics to say that fish landings have seen marginal increase in the Port area during the construction phase

The fish landing around the Vizhinjam International Port area recorded a slight increase compared to the period before the port construction started, according to a study by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

The total fish catch estimated from June 2021 to May 2022 was 23,934 tons, which is 3.35 per cent higher than the baseline catch estimated during 2011-12 (23,156 tons). 

The study was conducted in the 10-km radius of the sea port project. It concluded that the project has insignificant impact on the fish availability and landings. However, the scientists who prepared the report said there should be a follow-up impact assessment during the port’s operational phase. 

Meanwhile, fishermen leaders said that the study was inconclusive. “There has been an increase in the fish landings across the state, especially in recent years. But there were not many port construction activities conducted in the sea when the study was conducted,” according to fishermen associations quoted by media reports.