While the Periyar flowed in stripes of black, fisherfolk downstream of the Pathalam regulator-cum-bridge in the Periyar near Moolampilly claimed that the continuous pollution of the river had been affecting their only source of livelihood.
“We know it when the shutters at Pathalam are opened,” said Sasi P.P., a fisherman who uses cast-nets (veeshu vala) to catch fish downstream. “Fish disappear, and we are not able to get any significant catch.”
A shutter of the Pathalam regulator-cum-bridge was last opened on Tuesday. And his catch over Wednesday night and early Thursday morning amounted to not even ₹300, Sasi claimed. On other days, each fisherman obtains a catch worth more than ₹1,300, he added.
Silver bellies (Kara), which are grown in farms along with shrimps, have been showing stunted growth, he claimed.
According to Stanley D’Silva, who has been fishing in the Periyar for the last 18 years said wounds were also common in tilapia and pearlspot. And yet, these changes, including the dip in catch, are not new, he added.
“We have been seeing a fall in catch for over 10 years now. As a result, no one wants to take up fishing any more,” he said.
Most youths are nowadays opting for other jobs. Moreover, the floods have made the situation worse, D’Silva added.
“River beds that offered refuge and habitat to fish that prefer lower depths were damaged by the floods. Crab, pearlspot and orange chromide [pallathi] are some of the most affected fish varieties, and it has hit us badly,” he lamented.