Kadal Conclave 2026 Advocates for Sustainable Seas and the Protection of Fisherfolk

The Fishermen Community Development Programme (FCDP) in Kollam convened church leaders, scientists, and policymakers to address the escalating crisis in Kerala’s fisheries sector.

The Fishermen Community Development Programme (FCDP), a community-based organization established in 1979 under the guidance of the Salesians of Don Bosco, organized Kadal Conclave 2026 in Kollam to address the increasing challenges confronting Kerala’s fishing communities.

For more than forty years, FCDP has promoted the holistic development of fisherfolk in coastal Kollam, with initiatives in education, health, livelihood support, cultural activities, and social empowerment for all community members. The Theeradesa Mahila Society (TMS), a women-led organization, collaborates with FCDP to advance self-help groups, microfinance, skill development, and livelihood opportunities, thereby enhancing the economic independence of women in fishing communities.

Led by Fr. Saji Elambasseril, SDB, who assumed leadership of FCDP in May2026, the conclave assembled fisherfolk, researchers, church leaders, government officials, and civil society organizations. Although this was his initial major engagement with the fisheries sector, participants recognized his capacity to rapidly comprehend both the opportunities and significant challenges facing fisherfolk throughout Kerala, as well as his effectiveness in uniting diverse institutions involved in coastal development.

Organized in collaboration with the Centre for Social Innovation and Development Studies (CSIDS) and the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS), the conclave concentrated on the ocean economy and its associated challenges.

Speakers identified marine pollution, climate change, declining fish stocks, destructive fishing practices, and policy deficiencies as urgent issues. Bishop Paul Antony Mullassery characterized the sea as a shared heritage that should not be exploited for corporate gain. Government officials and scientists advocated for evidence-based fisheries management, stricter regulation of trawling, and the protection of breeding habitats.

Dr. TM Thomas Isaac, former finance minister of Kerala, identified scientific factors contributing to declining fish stocks and emphasized the importance of conserving breeding grounds and implementing strict regulations on destructive fishing practices.

In the keynote address on “Biodiversity and Fish Wealth of Kerala,” Dr. P. U. Zacharia (CMFRI, Kochi) emphasized the significance of Kerala’s marine biodiversity and fish resources for the state’s socio-economic development. The address identified major threats, including overfishing, pollution, climate change, illegal fishing, plastic waste, and sand mining, and proposed strategies such as digital surveys, sustainable certification, artificial reefs, and mariculture to address these challenges.

The other speakers further emphasized the importance of biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient livelihoods, and the promotion of entrepreneurship opportunities for women and youth.

The conclave concluded with a call for enhanced coordination among fishermen, government agencies, and academic institutions to promote sustainable oceans and dignified livelihoods. Organizers characterized Kadal Conclave as the inception of a sustained movement, describing it as “not just a wave, but a potential tsunami” for positive change along Kerala’s coast.