Body of missing fisherman recovered; Minister assures strict implementation of safety rules

Fisherman Shaji's body recovered; Minister visits families, promises aid. Search on for Yesudas. Minister expresses concern over lack of safety norms, underutilised life jackets. Emergency aid of ₹10,000 to families of deceased. Insurance schemes worth ₹10-20 lakh available but underutilised.

The body of one more fisherman who was among the four who died in a boat accident off the Munambam coast on Thursday was recovered on Sunday.

The body of Shaji, 53, was recovered on Sunday, while that of Sarath, 24, and Mohanan, 55, from Malippuram had been recovered on Saturday. Search is on to trace Yesudas, 26, of Chellanam.

Minister for Fisheries Saji Cherian on Sunday visited the houses of Sharath, Mohanan, and Shaji and consoled their families. K.N. Unnikrishnan, MLA, was present.

He said all laws related to the fisheries sector would be implemented in letter and spirit to ensure adherence to safety norms, in the wake of a rise in accidents involving fishing vessels. An emergency aid of ₹10,000 each will be given to the families of fishers who were killed in the accident.

The Minister expressed concern at a few fishers enrolling for insurance schemes worth ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh. Most of the 50,000 life jackets given to fishers by Matsyafed remained underutilised, he added.