Fishermen hold rally in Kanniyakumari against deep sea hydrocarbon project

Fishermen associations on Saturday conducted a rally at Melmidalam in Kanniyakumari district, protesting against the deep sea hydrocarbon project off the Kanniyakumari coast.

Following the issuance of notice by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, inviting bids under the Hydrocarbon exploration and licensing policy for the exploration of oil and natural gas from three areas in South of Cape Comorin, covering 27,154.80 sq km, local fishermen have begun expressing their strong opposition. The agitation stems largely over the project’s potential impact on their livelihoods.

Notably, the proposed exploration area includes the Wadge bank, a marine zone renowned for fishery resources.

Urging the central government to revoke the project, the fishermen from Kanniyakumari have begun their protest in the various coastal hamlets. Demonstrations have already taken place in Arockiyapuram, Chinna Muttom, Inayam areas.

In continuation of these protests, fishermen, their families and people from all religious backgrounds participated in the rally conducted in Melmidalam to voice their opposition to the project.

Following the rally, a public meeting was held where Captain Johnson from Colachel highlighted the issues the project would create along the sea routes between Thoothukudi, Vizhinjam and Kochi, He pointed out that increased marine congestion could severely disrupt the movement of fishing boats, forcing local fishermen to avoid fishing off the Kanniyakumari coast. He also emphasised the inclusion of the Wadge bank, a crucial fishing ground in the project area, which pose a major threat to the region’s fishery dependent communities.