ANNOUNCEMENTS
Marine plastic pollution has emerged as one of the major threats to the coastal ecosystems and the dependent livelihoods. In regions like Kerala, where the marine artisanal fisheries are prominent, this issue has a large-scale impact. Serious threats are faced by this sector due to declining fish stocks and environmental degradation caused by marine debris. This study assesses the direct economic impact of marine plastic pollution on Kerala’s active fishers by applying the Benefit Transfer Method (BTM). Drawing from a recent 2024 study from Ecuador, which assesses the economic losses in artisanal fisheries, this study has employs a Unit Value Transfer approach. Key adjustments were made for income levels, Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and fish price adjustments to localize the impact estimates to Kerala’s context.
Primary survey from Cherai and Munambam fishing hubs indicates that 77% of respondents had experienced income loss due to plastic-related disruptions. Based on this, the adjusted per-fisher income loss was estimated for Kerala’s total affected fisher population. The final, price-adjusted estimate suggests a total economic loss of ₹ 1058.56 crores in 2022, which is equivalent to 7.5% of the state’s fisheries sector Gross Value Added (GVA). A sensitivity analysis (elasticities of 0.8 and 1.2) provided lower and upper bounds for this estimate. This study projects a forecast for the potential economic loss for Kerala’s fisheries sector in 2025. The study also incorporated insights from a household survey and Power-Interest Matrix analysis to understand broader stakeholder dynamics and community perceptions.
These findings highlight the substantial and often overlooked economic burden of marine plastic pollution on small-scale fishers. The study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions, improved coastal waste management, and strengthened institutional coordination to mitigate future losses and safeguard livelihoods in Kerala’s fisheries sector.
Key words: Benefit Transfer Method; Marine plastic pollution; Economic loss; Artisanal fisheries; Purchasing Power Parity, Power Interest Matrix; Coastal Livelihoods.
