Tsunami Impact on Fisheries & Aquaculture in India 1

Tsunami impact on fisheries & aquaculture in India[1]

Updated 14 February 2005

Affected areas

The Tsunamis caused extensive damage in Southern regions of India and Andaman & Nicobar Islands affecting a total of 2,260 km of coastline. The waves were reported to be as high as 3-10 meters in southern India and penetrated from 300 m to 3 km inland. The worst-affected regions were the State of Tamil Nadu and the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The States of Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala were affected to a lesser extent. As of 16 January the WHO Situation Report1 indicates that 10,714 people have been killed, 5,669 are missing and 647,521 have been displaced with 376,171 people now living in relief camps.

Source: UNDMT Situation Report 18 January 2005.

Fisheries

The fisheries sector in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands has suffered major damages - some firm estimates would be available only in the next 7-10 days, when the areas become accessible. The worst hit places like Nagapattinam have been closed (both entry and exit) fearing epidemics. BOBP-IGO is closely monitoring the situation through its NGO network. Many fishers are unable to work due to loss of boats and gear, or due to fear of the sea. Fishers in some areas are beginning to return to sea. However, the market for seafood has plummeted due to public fear of disease and contamination from bodies. This issue persists despite resounding dismissal by health authorities throughout the region, further complicating the lives of those fishers still able to work.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu was the worst affected state with around 8,000 people killed. All thirteen coastal districts were affected but the worst losses occurred in Nagapattinam district where more than 6,000 people were killed. An estimated 85 percent of people affected by the tsunami in Tamil Nadu are believed to be from the fishing community.

Tamil Nadu has 591 fishing villages and 362 fish landing centres, which are mostly small and cater to the needs of small mechanized fishing crafts and traditional boats. In 2000 there were a total 698,268 people engaged in fisheries with some 10,000 mechanized fishing vessels, 21,000 vallams and 28,000 catamarans. The fisheries sector has suffered major damage in terms of lives, boats, gear and to the infrastructure such as harbours and fish landing centres.

Fisherman of Ramanathapuram and Thoothukkudi districts of Tamil Nadu are reported to have resumed fishing activity “in a big way”2 while the activity on the coast of Pudukkottai, Thanjavur and Kanniyakumari districts is picking up momentum. Fishing activity in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur and Nagapattinam has not recovered.

The South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies are running Boat Repair Camps in Kanyakumari District with volunteers from the National Fishworkers' Forum. They have opened a Fishing Craft & Gear control room to collate requests for repair of craft and gear.

Tamil Nadu's fishing community is a significant contributor to the state economy with marine fish landings estimated around 380,000 metric tonnes per annum. About 58,000 metric tonnes of seafood valued at about 480 million U.S. dollars is exported annually from the seafood processing units located in the state.

Andhra Pradesh

Fishers were affected along 1,000 km of coastline, with Krishna and Prakasam districts the most serious, and damage also to Guntur, Nellore West Godavari, East Godavari and Vishakapatnam. Approximately 1,362 fishing boats and 34,249 nets were lost. At Vishakapatnam there was damage to trawlers, fishing equipment and fish stored for export. Nearly 300,000 fishers have been rendered jobless and they are estimated to be losing Rs. 50 million a day. Fishing is a major trade activity in coastal Andhra Pradesh. The state produces 200,000 tonnes of marine fish every year.

The situation is slowly improving. All relief camps are now closed2 with people returning to their villages. The fishermen, in north and central coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh comprising of Srikakulam, Vizainagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna, have started fishing activity. Those in Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts cannot resume fishing due to gear loss/damage.

Kerala

Fishers were affected along 250km of coastline. Those who have not lost their fishing crafts and implements have resumed fishing in Polam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts. Other traditional fishermen and boat owners have not resumed fishing activities due to boat/gear damage.

Pondicherry

25 km of coastline was affected by the tsunamis with penetration ranging from 300 m to 3 km affecting 26 villages. The situation is reported to be gradually improving, the relief camps have now closed2 and fishermen are slowly returning to sea.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

30 of the 38 inhabited islands of the Nicobars were affected, with the worst being Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar and the Nancowrie group. The total population of the affected Islands is about 60,000. Seven islands were fully evacuated including Trinket, Kondul, Pilomillow, Little Nicobar, Bambooka, Chowra and Tilanchang. Evacuees have been moved to 6 of the Nicobar Islands (Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar (Campbell Bay), Katchal, Kamorta, Nancowry and Teressa and 2 Andaman Islands (Little Andaman at Hut Bay and South Andaman at Port Blair) where relief operations are concentrated, with 37,264 persons in 190 relief camps.

Port Blair was damaged but four of the 6 jetties are now functional. There are 49 jetties in A&N Islands of which 29 are now operational including 11 jetties in Andaman district. All small harbours and jetties in the Nicobar islands have been damaged, but three are fit for operation: One each at Car Nicobar, Nancowry (Kamorta) and Nancowry (Champin). Only two of the 30 lighthouses in the A&N Islands are functioning.

Normal power has been restored at Great Nicobar and Kamorta Islands. Some power is available via gensets on Katchal, Teressa and other islands.

Aquaculture

Many hatchery facilities in the southern India regions were severely affected. While the second harvest had been completed, farm infrastructure has been badly damaged and this is likely to impact on future production. In the Kovalam, Marakanam and Pondy belt, most of the shrimp hatcheries have lost their pump houses, fencing etc. Shrimp farms at Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Sirkali were severely affected with collapsed bunds and damaged pumps. Shrimp farms in the Vellar estuaries (Chidambaram, Sirkali) were heavily damaged from seawater inundation. Sea based farms in Tharangampadi, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam and Velankanni had their bunds and equipment including motors and pumps destroyed. Broodstock availability is likely to decline due to damage to fishing vessels, further reducing the likelihood of having a crop in the next season.

Kerala

Total loss is estimated around Rs. 14,900,000. At least 14 shrimp hatcheries have been affected covering 4 districts (Kollam, Alleppey, Ernakulam, and Kannur). Most of these are small-scale hatcheries, but some may have employed a few local workers.

Tamil Nadu

Total loss is estimated at around Rs. 62,700,000, which including a 120 ha of small-scale shrimp farms in Nagapattinam and Karaikal (Pondicherry) districts, and 11 hatcheries. The compound wall of the lobster fattening centre in Chennai was destroyed.

Andhra Pradesh

According to officials 400 fish tanks were damaged. Unofficial estimated loss at Rs. 500 million. Aquaculture farms over 400 acres were also damaged. The state’s seafood industry accounts for 25-30 percent of India total seafood exports. Most of the hatcheries were not much affected except Thupilipalem in Nellore District. Seabass hatcheries in Thirumullaivasal were badly affected with one farm totally submerged.

Government assistance programs to fisheries

An Ex-gratia of Rs.100, 000 has been announced from the PM National Relief Fund to next of kin of the deceased.

Government of Tamil Nadu assistance package to fishermen

The following relief was announced by the Minister:

·  Replacement of gill nets for Vallams at Rs.20,000 per unit for 10,000 units at a total cost of Rs.20 crores.

·  Replacement of gill nets for catamaran at Rs.10,000 per unit for 20,000 units at a total cost of Rs.20 crores.

·  Repair/ rebuilding of Vallams at Rs.15,000 per unit for 10,000 boats at a total cost of Rs.15 crores.

·  Repair/ rebuilding of catamarans at Rs.5000 per unit for 20,000 catamarans at a total cost of Rs.10 crores.

Source: Government of Tamil Nadu website, 7 January 2005.

http://www.tn.gov.in/tsunami/damages.htm

Key information resources

Maps of affected areas

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/tsunami-in-india/tsunami-affected-area-india.html

Tamil Nadu

Disaster Management and Mitigation Department – list of contacts

http://www.tn.gov.in/tsunami/contact.htm

Nagapattinam District Coastal Areas TSUNAMI Affected Village Particulars and map

http://nagapattinam.nic.in/tsunami/tsuna_affv.htm

Kerala

Tsunami relief operations in Kerala. Very detailed information down to Taluk level, including contact numbers for local authorities.

http://www.kerala.nic.in/tsunami.htm

Other sources

·  B.Vishnu Bhat. JD (Aqua) MPEDA

·  BOBP-IGO

·  Website: (http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=51744)

·  Y.C. Thampi Samraj, Project Director, RGCA

Key contacts

South Indian Association of Fishermen Societies.

http://www.tsunami2004-india.org/

Information gaps

·  Detailed information on Kerala and Pondicherry.

·  Information on aquaculture is sparse.

References

1. World Health Organization Situation Report No. 19, 16 January 2005.

2. UNDMT Situation report India 18 January 2005.

Tsunami Relief Assessment – Thirunelveli & Tuticorin Region - 11 Villages Assessed – Combined statistical data

Source: Tsunami – South India NGO Coordination Cell

Note about engine damages. In several villages the surprising figure of 0 boat engine damaged was given. It seems that after the first mild ‘attack’ (water rising) people ran away and protected their most precious valuables (boat engine, TV, cash etc.). Boat engines are usually kept in the houses and not left on the boats while not fishing.

Tsunami Relief Assessment - Marakannam Region - 14 Villages Assessed – Combined statistical data

* Traditional surf landing (kattu maram = tied woods, in Tamil & Malayalam) (nk)