Fisheries Ministry is instituted to organize the fisher folk in the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum. The aim of it is the integral development of the fishermen and fisherwomen and to mobilize them through community-based organizations. It also aims to implement various welfare schemes to improve their integrated and sustainable livelihood. This ministry was established on 30th November 2018 and started to implement activities in 44 villages. Fisheries Ministry also organizes regular meetings to improve the life and livelihood of the people and solve the problems of fishermen and women in the village, regional and diocesan level. Fr. Shajin Jose A. was appointed as the first director of the ministry. Fish workers inclusive of men and women engaged in fishing, fish vending and allied activities are the major working class of the diocese. TSSS is concerned about their rights, occupation and their integral growth, which are carried out through welfare programmes, advocacy, lobbying and networking with NGOs and GOs. A new board, namely Fisheries Ministry (link to site of fisheries ministry) is initiated in the diocese since 2018
Major Activities
Fisheries Ministry organizes the fisher folk in the Archdiocese of Trivandrum for their rights, welfare and the integral development through following streams. Fisheries Ministry of the Archdiocese works in collaboration with Coastal Area Development Agency for Liberation (CADAL), an agency constituted to involve in fisheries issues by KRLCC.
Trivandrum Malsyathozhilali Federation(TMF)
TMF is a Community Based Organization working for the empowerment of fishermen and support to solve the problems while fishing in other states or within the state. And. TMF is also working together with Kerala Swathantra Malsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) and other CBOs in this sector and government departments for the betterment and the sustainable livelihood of fishermen.
Fish Vending Women Forum
Fish Vending Women Forum organizes and monitors the activities of fish vending women in the coastal villages of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum. Empowers the fish vending women and create awareness on savings, health, better education of their children, on the family budget and the social activities. Implements good credit schemes and avail vending inputs….Read More →
Centre for Fisheries Studies(CFS)
CFS is a research and study centre with resources and space for discussion and discourses. It has a good collection of books and documents related to the fisheries sector and a good library. CFS conducts research, seminars, and discussions on every aspect of fisheries. It tries to educate the people about matters of fishing sector. CFS also organize the students in the coastal belt of the Archdiocese of Trivandrum.
Key Intervention Areas
1.Avail good health facilities and welfare activities (Housing,Toilets) jointly implementing with Social Action Ministry.
2.Training Programmes: Coastal weather, sea safety and sustainable fishing, coastal resource management, hygienic handling of fish and health.
3. Support the fishermen to getting fair price for their fish catch.
4. Immediate financial support to accidental deaths while fishing in the sea.
5. Medical assistance to fisherwomen who meet with accidents while they engaged in fish vending.