This story is from June 14, 2019

Sea erosion: Kerala government to try out offshore breakwater technology

Fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma has said that the state government will be trying out offshore breakwater technology for the first time on an experimental basis to prevent sea erosion in vulnerable areas along the Kerala coast.
Sea erosion: Kerala government to try out offshore breakwater technology
A destructed house at Valiyathura
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma has said that the state government will be trying out offshore breakwater technology for the first time on an experimental basis to prevent sea erosion in vulnerable areas along the Kerala coast.
“A study has already been conducted over the past couple of years, and a DPR (detailed project report) has been prepared for piloting the project in three places in Thiruvananthapuram – Valiyathura, Poonthura and Shanghumugham – which would be expanded to other areas based on its success,” the minister told the assembly on Thursday.

The works for the offshore breakwater will begin after monsoon season, possibly in September, she said. “The fisheries and irrigation departments will jointly chalk out measures to fight sea erosion, which poses a threat to around 350km stretch of the 580km Kerala coastline,” she said.
On a request from opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and Thiruvananthapuram MLA V S Sivakumar for immediate construction of seawall in vulnerable areas, the minister said it was not possible due to problems in sourcing rocks. However, she said measures like building of sandbag walls and use of geotube technologies will be looked into. The geotube sea wall constructed in Chellanam in Ernakulam district is turning out to be a success, finance minister T M Thomas Isaac pointed out.
Meanwhile, the state cabinet approved a total of Rs 22.5 crore for emergency operations in nine coastal districts vulnerable to sea erosion. The districts include Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod. The cabinet also decided to form committees headed by respective district collectors for coordinating the activities with the support of district heads of various departments.
‘Fish wealth up by 1.2 lakh tonnes’ : Mercykutty Amma said the state witnessed a rise in its fish wealth by 1.25 lakh tonne over the last two fiscals. “The harvest was 4.88 lakh tonne in 2016-17 while it rose to 6.09 lakh tonne in 2018-19, thanks to scientific interventions,” she said. The restrictions on juvenile fishing and their strict implementation were among such interventions, the minister added.
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