Fishers decry hydrocarbon project in Wadge Bank

Opposition grows against hydrocarbon exploration project in Kanniyakumari waters, threatening fishers' livelihood and ecological zone.

Opposition to the proposed hydrocarbon exploration project in the waters of Kanniyakumari has increased among fishers in the region.

According to them, though the project had been planned at 35 nautical miles from the shore, the designated area was a vital fishing ground.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had issued a notice inviting bids under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy for exploration of oil and natural gas from three areas in South of Cape Comorin, covering 27,154.80 sq km. Of the three proposed sites, one spans 9,514.63 sq km and the other two, 9,844.72 sq km and 7,795.45 sq km respectively.

The region selected for exploration includes the Wadge Bank — a marine area in south of Cape Comorin, rich in fishery resources. Spanning approximately 10,000 sq km, it has long served as an abundant fishing ground.

Fishermen associations fear that implementing the project in such a sensitive area would impact the livelihood of fishers from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram districts in Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala, besides harming one of the most ecologically valuable littoral zones in the region.

C. Berlin of Neithal Makkal Iyakkam said, “The place selected for the project falls under the Central government zone, but that does not exempt authorities from consulting the local fishing community....”

He further said that fishers who are dependent on Wadge Bank would be affected the most due to the project. Small-scale fishers would be forced to sail longer distances in search of fishing grounds, Mr. Berlin said, urging the government to revoke the proposed project.