Kerala plans multi-agency mechanism for faster response to sea accidents
The draft of a standard operating procedure for dealing with instances of fishers going missing is ready. Fisheries director Chelsasini V. has been directed to prepare a detailed SOP to present to the stakeholders. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT The Fisheries department of Kerala plans to involve other stakeholders in forming a body capable of taking decisions when fishers go missing at sea, particularly during the crucial initial period referred to as the ‘golden hour.’ The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of officials chaired by Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, in the wake of protests by fishers alleging delays in search operations for three fishermen who are missing at sea in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. The plan is to involve other agencies, such as the disaster management authority, Revenue department, police, Coastal Police, Marine Enforcement and the Navy, besides the Fisheries department, to ensure quick action in the event of accidents at sea. The draft of a standard operating procedure for dealing with instances of fishers going missing is …







