The Kerala Fishworkers’ Coordination Committee has asked the Union government for broader consultations on proposed amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act. The group fears the new draft favors large industrial fishing operators over traditional, small-scale fleets. The outcome could impact regulatory compliance costs and operational norms for thousands of small fishing vessels across India's coastlines.
The Kerala Fishworkers’ Coordination Committee has formally requested that the Union government pause and broaden the consultation process for proposed amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act. The committee argues that the current draft lacks input from the very communities most affected by these changes, specifically traditional fishers and coastal state governments.
Impact on Small-Scale Fishing Operations
The primary concern raised by the committee is that the draft regulations appear designed for large industrial fishing operations rather than the traditional fleet that dominates India's coastline. Currently, India’s fishing landscape consists of roughly three lakh vessels, the vast majority of which are small-scale or subsistence-based. In Kerala, the fleet includes thousands of small canoes and modern thermocol boats. Critics suggest that if these rules are implemented without revision, they could centralize control of the sector among a few large operators, potentially creating barriers for smaller, traditional fishers who lack the resources to comply with complex industrial-scale requirements.
Safety and Regulatory Challenges
A central point of contention involves the proposed system of access passes for vessels moving beyond territorial waters. The committee contends that this requirement ignores the operational reality of traditional vessels, which may not be equipped to meet the administrative demands of such a pass system. Furthermore, the committee noted that the draft does not sufficiently address safety hazards at sea, such as the frequent collisions involving fishing vessels. According to the committee, the current proposals lack meaningful provisions to improve safety for the country's diverse and vast fishing fleet.
Regulatory Context and Next Steps
For investors and stakeholders in the maritime and food processing sectors, this development highlights the complexities of integrating modern shipping regulations with informal or traditional economic sectors. The Merchant Shipping Act is a cornerstone of India’s maritime policy, and changes to its scope can have ripple effects on the supply chain for the seafood industry. The key monitorable will be whether the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways agree to conduct further public hearings or revise the draft to accommodate the concerns of small-scale fishers. If the government proceeds without these revisions, it could lead to increased operational pressure or potential legal challenges from community organizations, which might delay the adoption of the final regulations.