Pier anglers in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram await restoration of Valiyathura Pier
Under the overcast monsoon skies over the Valiyathura beach, in Thiruvananthapuram, the morning bustle is slightly subdued at the fish market. Hawkers are perched under
Under the overcast monsoon skies over the Valiyathura beach, in Thiruvananthapuram, the morning bustle is slightly subdued at the fish market. Hawkers are perched under colourful umbrellas, selling the limited catch, carelessly placed on soiled slabs of ice – a few metres away from the fishing boats docked at the shore. Away from the hubbub, gazing out to the sea, towards a dilapidated historic Valiyathura Pier, is 42-year-old fisherman Gilbert Raju. Orally challenged by birth, he is one among the few pier anglers in the area, catching the prey using a polymer line either cast from the shore or from an elevated structure.
Amidst the ongoing 52-day trawling ban, artisanal fishers from Valiyathura, such as Mr. Raju, might appear to be at an advantage over big boat owners. However, the collapse of a section of the pier, splitting the bridge-like structure into two sections in March 2024, has made it difficult for Mr. Raju to venture on to the structure to reel in fish. The pier, constructed in 1956 as a replacement for an older version made in 1825, was destroyed in 1947 after SS Pandit, a steam cargo ship, rammed it. The platform, which was earlier used to launch catamarans into the sea, is rendered useless, forcing fishers to set sail from Vizhinjam, located 14 kilometres away.
“Even if no one gets a fish, Gilbert will,” says Jerome, his friend. “He has been doing this since he was 20 years old. But now, he earns a living by helping hawkers carry ice and water. He is also an expert in tracking sand fleas or mole crabs, which are used as bait for fishing. He also sells them for a paltry sum.” Raju’s mother, Irene, says, “Earlier, he used to go fishing in the deep sea during his youth. But one day, his boat capsized, leaving him scared of venturing out into the sea again.” Source of income Raju is a beneficiary of the Savings Cum Relief scheme for fisherfolk, eligible to receive ₹4,500 from the Department of Fisheries during the fishing off season.
He contributes ₹1,500, while the Centre and State governments pay him ₹1,500 each, as part of the project. He also gets a monthly disability pension of ₹1,600. For his family of six, these remain the main source of income. When asked about joining another trade, Mr. Raju conveys with the help of Jerome, “Fishing is all we know. We do not want to do anything else.”
The BriefWire