Under the guidance of center for Fisheries Studies, TMF and KMVS has undertaken very many activities for the growth of the Fishing Community of the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum. CFS and TMF have been successful in highlighting many of the problems faced by the fisher-folk of this region and has been instrumental in forcing the authorities to take decisions in favour of them. In April 2017 a forane level meeting of all fishermen was convened by TMF in which all the problems faced by them ware discussed and TMF was told to involve in them on a priority basis. As there was ashortage in the availability of kerosene, the matter was brought to the attention of the C.M., Ministers for fisheries and civil supplies. 32 fisherman belonging poonthura, Puthiyathurai, Pulluvila, Thoothoor and Iraviputhanthurai area were unlawfully detained in the Diego Gracia Islands along with their boats. TMF’s timely intervention and repeated appeal and pressure on the authorities at state and central level made sure that all of them were released unconditionally. When a fisher woman was killed by stray logs at pulluvila, CFS promptly brought the matter before the Assembly Committee for the welfare of fisherman and the member visited the area and took necessary steps.
TMF has taken the initiative to identify all the fisherman living in the costal belt without houses of their own and collected the necessary details regarding the plots owned by them and the government is going ahead with project of building houses for them. When the Vizhinjam Port rehabilitation package was delayed, TMF intervened and made sure that all the families displaced by the project were duly compensated. As fatal accidents are common at Muthalapozhi in Perumathuri TMF took the initiative to continue the drudging. A meeting of all the panchayat presidents and member of Pulluvila forane was convened at the Bishop’s House and planned the projects to be executed at the panchayathu level.
When the Vizhinjam Port rehabilitation package was delayed, TMF intervened and made sure that all the families displaced by the project were duly compensated. As fatal accidents are common at Muthalapozhi in Perumathuri TMF took the initiative to continue the drudging. A meeting of all the panchayat presidents and member of Pulluvila forane was convened at the Bishop’s House and planned the projects to be executed at the panchayathu level. With a view to increase the co- operation and oneness of all the fishing community of the diocese, fisherman day was celebrated at St.Thomas Church hall Kochuveli.
When the country’s biggest disaster Ockhi Cyclone hit Kerala. TN coast, TMF was the first to start relief work in Vizhinjam and poonthura area much before the Governmental machinery swung in to action. All assistance was provided to those affected and those who escaped with severe injuries. Medical facilities were provided at the medical college and later at Jubilee mission Hospital. TMF was instrumental in crodifying the work of the private social service agencies and the Government. On January 15th 2018 a march was under taken to the Kerala Assembly under the leadership of TMF to highlight the lack of support for Ockhi affected TMF and INCOIS together planned projects for the safety of fisherman and to have early warning about such calamities beforehand. A seminar was conducted which INCOIS promised all assistance for the safety of the fisherman. Around 150 SHG groups have been started by TMF and their work is closely monitored by TMF A meeting was convened by TMF to highlight the problems faced by fisherman in the coastal regions regarding CR2 Violators in which Mr. Thomas led the one day seminar.