Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to disruptions in fishing activities off the Kerala coast following the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 and the fire on MV Wan Hai 503 in May-June 2025. It details financial assistance provided to affected fisherfolk, assessments of ecological impact, and measures for long-term marine biodiversity protection. The Kerala government has taken immediate action by providing advisories and forming a Joint Coordination Committee.
Key Points / Main Content:
Incidents:
* The cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck occurred on 24-25 May 2025, approximately 39 nautical miles south off Kochi, Kerala.
* The incident of MV Wan Hai 503 happened on 09th June 2025 at around 130 Nm North West of Kochi, Kerala.
* Fishermen from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulum districts were affected by the MSC Elsa 3 incident between 25th May and 1st June 2025.
Financial Assistance:
* Interim relief of Rs.1000 per family was provided to 1,05,518 marine fishermen families (including 78,498 marine fishermen families and 24,020 allied fishermen families) from the SDRF.
* 6 kg of rice per family was also provided to compensate for livelihood loss.
Ecological Impact Assessment:
* The Disaster Management Department of Kerala issued advisories on 25th May 2025, instructing fishermen not to venture within a 20 nautical mile radius of the sunken vessel.
* A high-level meeting was convened on 28th May 2025, with scientists from ICAR-CIFT, ICAR-CMFRI, KUFOS, and fishermen representatives to discuss ecological impact and protection measures.
* A Joint Coordination Committee was constituted on 19.06.2025, with representatives from KUFOS, CMFRI, CIFT, State Pollution Control Board, Food Safety, National Health Mission, and Coastal Police to conduct sampling and testing of water and fish.
* Preliminary analysis showed fish samples were safe for consumption, with no objectionable smell or flavour, and water samples within normal pH, salinity, and conductivity ranges. No traces of oil content or hazardous chemicals were detected.
* The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been entrusted through the Environment Department of Kerala to undertake multi sectoral loss assessment and impact study both short term and long term.
Restoration and Protection Measures:
* The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has approved projects worth Rs.13.02 crore for installing artificial reefs along the Kerala coast to rejuvenate and restore fish stocks.
* The Government of India is committed to long-term sustainability and biodiversity protection with coordinated efforts of related Ministries.
Impact Analysis:
Fisherfolk:
* Impact: Disruption of fishing activities and loss of livelihood due to the incidents.
* Action Required: Adhere to advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department of Kerala, receive and utilize financial assistance and resources provided by the government.
Kerala State Government:
* Impact: Responsible for assessing the impact of the incidents, providing relief, and coordinating with various agencies.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring the situation, conduct necessary sampling and testing, and coordinate with experts for long-term assessments and restoration measures.
Government of India (Department of Fisheries):
* Impact: Responsible for providing financial support and approving restoration projects.
* Action Required: Oversee the implementation of approved projects and coordinate with other ministries to ensure long-term sustainability and biodiversity protection.
Scientific Community (ICAR-CIFT, ICAR-CMFRI, KUFOS, NIO):
* Impact: Involved in assessing the ecological impact of the incidents.
* Action Required: Conduct thorough scientific assessments, provide expert advice, and develop strategies for protecting fishery resources and the livelihood of fishermen.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: A state in India, specifically mentioned in relation to fishing communities and incidents affecting them.
MSC Elsa 3: A cargo vessel that sank off the coast of Kerala, disrupting fishing activities.
MV Wan Hai 503: A cargo vessel that experienced a fire off the coast of Kerala, disrupting fishing activities.
Thiruvananthapuram: A district in Kerala that was affected by the MSC ELSA 3 incident.
Kollam: A district in Kerala that was affected by the MSC ELSA 3 incident.
Alappuzha: A district in Kerala that was affected by the MSC ELSA 3 incident.
Ernakulum: A district in Kerala that was affected by the MSC ELSA 3 incident.
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT): An organization involved in assessing the ecological impact of the MSC ELSA 3 incident.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 312
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND JULY, 2025
Financial Assistance to Fishing Communities in Kerala
312. Shri Hibi Eden:
Adv. Dean Kuriakose:
Shri Kodikunnil Suresh:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the disruption to fishing activities caused to
fisherfolk following the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 and the fire on MV Wan Hai 503 off the
Kerala coast, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government proposes to provide financial supports/reliefs and
compensation for fishermen and fisherfolk in light of such incidents, if so, the details
thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received any representation from the State Government
of Kerala to provide compensation to the fishermen who lost their livelihood due to the
incidents;
(d) whether the Government is coordinating with experts to assess the long-term impact
of such incidents on the quality and safety of edible marine species and the ecological
sustainability of traditional fishing grounds, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons
therefor;
(e) whether the Government has conducted or supported any scientific assessment of the
impact of plastic nurdle contamination, hazardous cargo leakage or ecosystem
degradation on fish stocks, breeding grounds and livelihood of coastal fishing
communities, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(f) whether the Government has conducted a study in this regard, if so, the details thereof
and key finds of such study;
(g) whether the Government proposes any restoration measures in this regard, if so, the
details thereof; and
(h) whether the Ministry is coordinating with the M/o Shipping and Environment to ensure
accountability, clean-up and long term marine biodiversity protection in affected zones?ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a): The cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck carrying 643 containers occurred on 24-
25 May 2025, approximately 39 nautical miles (Nm) south off Kochi, Kerala whereas the
incident of MV Wan Hai 503 happened on 09th June 2025 at around 130 Nm North West
of Kochi, Kerala. The Government of Kerala has informed that, in connection with MSC
ELSA 3, the fishermen especially those of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and
Ernakulum districts were effected during 25th May to 1st June, 2025.
(b): The Government of Kerala has informed that in response to MSC ELSA 3 interim
relief has already been provided to the affected fishermen with financial assistance
@Rs.1000/- per family to 1,05,518 marine fishermen families (including 78,498 marine
fishermen families and 24,020 allied fishermen families) from the SDRF, along with 6 kg
of rice per family for compensating for their livelihood loss that occurred due to the mishap.
(c): Yes, Sir.
(d) to (f): The Government of Kerala has informed that, in connection with MSC ELSA 3,
as an immediate response, the Disaster Management Department of Kerala State had
issued advisories to the fishermen on 25th May, 2025, instructing fishermen not to venture
within a 20 nautical mile radius of the sunken vessel. The Government of Kerala informed
that high-level meeting was convened with the scientists of ICAR-Central Institute of
Fisheries Technology (CIFT), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI),
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and representatives of
fishermen on 28th May, 2025 to discuss the possible ecological impact and necessary
actions to be taken for protection of fishery resources and livelihood of fishermen.
Accordingly, on 19.06.2025, a Joint Coordination Committee was constituted by the State
Government of Kerala with representatives from KUFOS, CMFRI, CIFT, State Pollution
Control Board, Food Safety, National Health Mission, and Coastal Police to review the
scenario and to conduct necessary sampling, testing of water, and fish in accordance with
the standard protocols. The test reports revealed that the fish samples were all in good
condition, and no objectionable smell or flavour was observed, and the pH, salinity and
the conductivity of water samples were within the normal range. The preliminary analysis
of water and fish samples revealed that there were no trace or the presence of oil content,
no direct evidence to prove the presence of hazardous chemicals, and that the fish
samples from the coasts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam, etc. were safe for
consumption. It is also been informed that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)
has been entrusted through the Environment Department of Kerala to undertake multi-
sectoral loss assessment and impact study both short term and long term.
(g) & (h): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has approved the projects
worth of Rs.13.02 crore for installation of artificial reefs along the Kerala coast for
rejuvenation and restoration of fish stocks. Government of India is committed for long-term
sustainability and biodiversity protection with coordinated efforts of related Ministries.
***