IDSFFK: Salt of resistance captures a forgotten chapter in Keralam’s coastal history
The documentary 'Salt of Resistance' explores the history of the 1988 trawling ban in Kerala, which was achieved through years of protests by the fishing community. It highlights the role of traditional fisherfolk, activists, and religious figures in securing both environmental protections and welfare schemes.
Why it matters
It documents a significant grassroots movement that shaped environmental policy and social welfare for coastal communities in India.
The 52-day trawling ban in Keralam during the monsoon season, meant to allow the dwindling marine resources to regenerate, is now taken for granted, but the implementation of the ban happened only after long years of protest by the fishing community.
Shawn Sebastian’s documentary Salt of Resistance being screened at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam (IDSFFK) is an attempt at recording an important but forgotten struggle in the State’s history.
Keralam implemented trawling ban in 1988, becoming the first State in the country to have such a seasonal fishing restriction. The documentary presents the story of the protest through the memories of the fisherfolk, activists of the Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation and nuns who were part of the struggle and journalists who covered the events.
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