Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam will introduce an insurance scheme covering registered fishermen in the event of natural deaths, state Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor has said.

At present, insurance cover is available to fishermen only in case of accidental death or disability caused by accidents, while deaths due to natural causes, including illness or heart attack, are not covered, he said in a statement.

With the introduction of the new scheme, insurance cover will be ensured for all registered fishermen in the state, the minister said.

He announced the new insurance scheme during a discussion held on Thursday with representatives of organisations of boat owners in the fisheries sector.

The meeting also decided to resolve issues faced in renewing licences of fishing vessels whose validity period has expired.

The Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act, which governs marine fishing in the state, will also be amended to make it relevant to current circumstances, he said.

An expert committee will be appointed soon to conduct the necessary examination and submit a report, following which steps for amending the law will be taken after obtaining the views of stakeholders in the fisheries sector, the minister said.

The government is considering updating the legislation, enacted in 1980, to suit the present-day circumstances, he added.

The government will also intervene to ensure compensation for losses suffered by fishermen in connection with the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3 ship, in the case currently pending before the Kerala High Court, he said.

The meeting also decided to reconstitute the Fisheries Management Council and take steps to ensure that it functions in full capacity, the minister said.