The Liberian container vessel, carrying marine fuel which sank off the Kerala coast in May.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: As the remains of a ship that sank off the Kerala coast are still remaining in the sea, fishermen are suffering huge loss owing to damage caused to fishing nets.
Nearly 20 fishing boats that ventured into the sea from Kochi-Alappuzha coastal areas of Kerala earlier this week suffered damage to fishing nets by the remains of containers and other heavy cargo from the sunken ship MSC ELSA-3.
Various forums of fishermen are planning to take up their grievances with the Kerala High Court which is considering a petition pertaining to environmental hazards and damage to marine resources caused by the ship.
A Liberian flagged container ship, MSC ELSA-3, with hazardous cargo sank in the Arabian sea off the Kerala coast on May 24. There were 643 containers on board, of which 73 were empty and 13 were carrying hazardous and dangerous goods. Around 60 containers and cargo including wooden logs have already washed ashore at various parts of the state.
According to fishermen's forum, fishing nets of ten boats that ventured into the sea from Vypeen and Munambam areas of Kochi and at least nine boats that ventured into sea from Thottappally area in Alappuzha suffered damage. Police complaints were already filed and assistance sought from the state fisheries department also.
Meanwhile, the salvage operation of MSC-ELSA-3 is reportedly progressing at a very slow pace. Based on a petition of the fishermen forums the Kerala High Court has sought a report from the director general of shipping.