Interaction with the inland fishermen at Venkitangu, Thrissur, Kerala

    A field visit and interaction was carried out to the proposed site for fish protected area in Chettuva estuary, near Venkitangu, Thrissur coastal district of Kerala on 2 November 2024. Inland fishing is the major economic activity and source of livelihood for the fishermen in this region. About 50% of fishermen belong to SC category and the fishing activities and marketing is catered through the Venkitangu inland fishermen co-operative society. In order to conserve the fish stock and improve fisheries resources in this region, a fish protected area is proposed with the technical guidance from Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala, KUFOS, Kochi and ICAR-CCARI, Goa. The fishermen society also welcomed this initiative and the sites were identified for the establishment of fish protected area considering suggestions and local ecological knowledge. Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist from CCARI discussed about various activities such as removal of the excessive aquatic vegetation, ranching of the fish seeds and design of the structures in the fish protected area. The recent concern of the otter attacks on fishes when caught in gillnets were also discussed. The designed HDPE barrels for crab farming and fish keeping were also distributed to the society. Shri. Aanandan UA, President of the fishermen society along with five fishermen and two women was present during the interaction.