John Mathias’ family takes exception to remarks on missing fishermen, demands overhaul of rescue system during Kerala Ministers’ visit

Published 10 August 2026 · politics

The family of John Mathias, a fisherman from Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram, who has been missing for 11 days, on Monday (August 10, 2026) expressed its distress

The family of John Mathias, a fisherman from Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram, who has been missing for 11 days, on Monday (August 10, 2026) expressed its distress over reported remarks made by Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and other Ministers concerning fishermen who venture into the sea. Such comments were deeply hurtful to the community that has little choice but to depend on the sea for its livelihood, Mr. Mathias’ children told Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor when they visited the family on Monday. The family also clarified that its demands for better safety arrangements, faster rescue operations and improved weather warnings were “not politically motivated”, but were being raised out of the anguish and uncertainty it has endured since Mr. Mathias went missing. Mathias’ daugther Jiji John said the fishing community had the right to approach the government with its concerns. Raising demands for better safety arrangements should not be interpreted as political opposition or as an attempt to blame the government, she said. A major demand from the family was for a localised weather forecasting system that could provide fishermen with accurate information about conditions in specific areas where they operate.

Expressing optimism that his father would return, Mr. Mathias’ son Nebin Nelson said fishermen often receive general weather warnings that do not accurately correspond to conditions at their actual fishing locations. Besides, inconsistencies could create a loss of confidence in official warnings. If fishermen are repeatedly told that strong winds are expected but do not encounter those conditions, they may become less inclined to take future warnings seriously, he pointed out. Calls for better emergency infrastructure The family also called for stronger emergency infrastructure, including marine and air ambulances and a round-the-clock mechanism capable of responding immediately to incidents at sea. A response system that could operate throughout the night was particularly important because emergencies do not necessarily occur during normal office hours. They also called for measures to provide experienced fishermen a greater role in search and rescue operations. Jiji said fishermen were regularly called upon to assist the district authorities during floods and other disasters because of their knowledge of water bodies and their ability to respond quickly. The community’s knowledge of the sea should be treated as an important resource during maritime emergencies.