The Kerala Malsya Thozhilali Aikyavedi (TUCI), a leading fishermen’s union, has issued a strong appeal to the government. They are demanding a more proactive and accountable stance to safeguard the livelihoods of the fishing community and provide fair compensation. This urgent call comes after the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) revealed significant ecological damage resulting from the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck off the Kerala coast.
The union highlighted that the CMLRE’s report, produced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, contains extremely concerning discoveries about the shipwreck’s environmental repercussions. In light of these grave findings, the forum is urging the government to thoroughly review the situation and implement necessary legal actions and preventive strategies.
Charles George, the State president of the forum, expressed his frustration in a statement on Sunday, September 21, 2025. He stated, “Fishermen are still grappling with the ongoing issue of their nets being damaged by containers that detached from the sunken ship. Despite the gravity of the situation, the government has yet to adopt a truly responsible position, even in legal proceedings.”