Sat Mar 15 14:30:58 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Sardine Crisis: Tiny Fish, Big Problem for Fishermen
**KOLLAM, Kerala – March 15, 2025** – The once-plentiful sardine, a staple in Kerala’s diet, is facing a dramatic downturn, leaving fishermen struggling with plummeting prices and dwindling catches. A combination of climate change and smaller-than-usual fish are devastating the industry.
During a recent fishing ban, sardine prices soared to ₹400 per kilo. Now, the tiny size of the fish – averaging a mere 25 grams compared to the previous 150 grams – has led to a drastic drop in demand, with fishermen forced to sell their catches to fish meal plants for as little as ₹18 per kilo.
Jackson Pollayil, president of the Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation, attributes the shrinking sardines to climate change-induced warming of coastal waters. This warming, he says, causes nutrient deficiencies, hindering the fish’s development. He predicts no improvement until the monsoon season.
Grinson George, director of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), confirms that sardine size fluctuates annually, but notes a significant regional difference this year. Southern Kerala sardines are larger (14-18 cm) than those in the north (12-14 cm). He points to El Niño and other climate events as major contributors to the recent decline, citing a marine heat wave lasting 150 days in late 2023 that negatively impacted sardine populations. While breeding improved later, it resulted in an abundance of young fish which are smaller and therefore less valuable.
The CMFRI’s earlier study revealed a 75% drop in oil sardine catches in 2021. Mr. George emphasizes the need for sustainable fishing practices and scientifically-backed interventions to help the industry recover and ensure the long-term viability of this crucial resource for Kerala’s fishermen. The current situation highlights the vulnerability of traditional fishers and the significant impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems.
First Piper 