“Kalanjiyam's Journey from Fisherman to Ocean Guardian”
Background
Kalanjiyam, a 27-year-old fisherman from the coastal village of Mandapam in Tamil Nadu, has been deeply connected to the sea since his early teens. Born into a traditional fishing family, Kalanjiyam's livelihood and identity are intertwined with the rhythms of the ocean. His father, a seasoned fisherman was his first teacher passing down the knowledge and skills essential for survival in the challenging waters of the Bay of Bengal.
At the age of 17, Kalanjiyam began fishing professionally, joining his father on daily expeditions. The family relies on their small fibre boat equipped with a gill net to catch crabs and fish adjusting their methods according to the ever-changing weather and sea conditions. For Kalanjiyam, the sea has always been both a source of sustenance and a way of life. His mother and younger sister manage the household while he and his father focus on fishing to support their family.
In the early years fishing was challenging due to the physical demands, unpredictable weather and his inexperience. However, with persistence and his father's guidance, Kalanjiyam grew into a skilled fisherman. The monsoon season, with its abundant catch became the most rewarding time of the year for him. But as the years passed, Kalanjiyam noticed a worrying trend as the fish stocks were declining and the catch was not as plentiful as it once was.
The Challenge of Declining Fish Resources
Kalanjiyam has observed several key factors contributing to the decline in fish resources in his fishing grounds. Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns and rising sea temperatures disrupting traditional fishing seasons and causing inconsistent catches. Overfishing has intensified pressure on fish stocks with an increase in the number of fishermen and the use of advanced technologies like mechanized boats and trawlers depleting fish populations more rapidly. Industrial pollution, particularly from export companies dumping waste into the ocean has severely damaged marine habitats destroying breeding grounds and leading to a significant reduction in fish populations. Destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling have further disrupted the ocean floor destroyed coral reefs and killed non-target species including juvenile fish crucial for sustaining future populations. While Kalanjiyam estimates that ghost gear accounts for about 20% of the reduction in fish resources he believes that 50% of the decline is due to the increasing number of fishermen and other anthropogenic activities.
Awareness and Intervention: Learning About Ghost Gear
Kalanjiyam’s understanding of ghost gear—abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that continues to harm marine life was non-existent until the intervention of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Before this intervention, neither Kalanjiyam nor the broader fishing community in his region were aware of the significant impact ghost gear had on the marine environment. The foundation's educational efforts brought to light the dangers posed by ghost gear including the entanglement of marine animals’ damage to fishing boats and the depletion of fish stocks which collectively threaten the sustainability of their livelihoods.
Taking Action: Voluntary Collection and Rescues
Kalanjiyam’s transformation from a fisherman to an environmental advocate began after he participated in several clean-up drives organized by MSSRF. These drives were important in shifting his perspective on the importance of addressing the ghost gear problem. Inspired by what he learned and experienced during these clean-up efforts he decided to take proactive steps to combat the issue on his own.
He began voluntarily removing ghost gear whenever he encountered it while out at sea. However, his commitment did not stop there. Recognizing the scale of the problem, Kalanjiyam formed a group of five fellow fishermen to join him in his efforts. Together, they undertook the significant task of collecting ghost gear and other marine debris along the Mandapam coast. Over time he and his group successfully covered a total of 10.5 hectares collecting an impressive 1,500 pieces of marine litter including ghost gear.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Kalanjiyam’s efforts is his dedication to rescuing marine animals trapped in ghost nets. Throughout his time on the water he has rescued more than seven turtles and a few dolphins that were entangled in ghost nets, saving them from almost certain death. These rescues are not only a testament to his commitment to marine conservation but also highlight the severe threat that ghost gear poses to marine life.
The waste collected by the group is compiled and stored where it is later collected by MSSRF for upcycling—a process that transforms the waste into useful products, thereby reducing environmental harm. Beyond his own efforts, Kalanjiyam has taken on the role of a mentor training other fishers in his community to identify and collect ghost gear and marine debris wherever they find it. His dedication to cleaning the ocean has made him a respected figure within his community and a role model for others.
Recognition and Motivation: The Kadal Kappan Award
In recognition of his tireless efforts to protect the marine environment, Kalanjiyam was honored with the prestigious “Kadal Kappan” award by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan during the 14th annual celebration of the Fish for All Centre in 2024. This award not only brought him personal recognition but also validated the importance of his work. Receiving such an accolade has served as a powerful motivator for Kalanjiyam, encouraging him to continue and expand his efforts to make the ocean a plastic-free zone. The recognition has inspired him to do even more to protect the marine environment that his livelihood depends on further cementing his role as a guardian of the sea.
Looking Ahead: Encouraging a Collective Effort
Kalanjiyam’s journey from an unaware fisherman to a committed steward of the marine environment illustrates the importance of education, awareness, and community involvement in tackling environmental issues. He now actively encourages other fishermen in his community to become more aware of the impact of ghost gear and to take similar proactive steps to address it. Kalanjiyam also stresses the need for stricter regulations and control over trawler boats, which are often responsible for the disposal of significant amounts of ghost gear into the sea. He believes that collective action is essential for the preservation of the marine environment and the sustainability of fishing livelihoods.
Kalanjiyam, in the blue shirt, actively participating in the voluntary collection of shoreline waste.