the coast use the weakened structure to launch their catamarans during the rough monsoon months, when the rough sea makes the beaches inaccessible. They then jump into the sea and swim to the catamarans. Waves here very rarely fall below one metre, and often exceed four metres during the monsoon period of May to October. There are many anglers who occupy strategic points on the pier, holding on to their line patiently waiting to hook a fish. Avoiding sophisticated angling gear, these people use their hands to hold the line instead of the angling rod. The anglers here are mostly labourers and daily-wage workers. The hooks range from 18 to 24 on a single line. There are also hooks that do not need any bait on them. But these should be regularly pulled and loosened in the water in order to attract prey. As the water current is towards the shore, the anglers need something to take the line down to the waters. For this, they use iron weights attached to the line, which provides the thrust while the line is thrown into the sea. Malavu, a fish that visits the coastline occasionally from inland waters, is another temptation for the anglers. Para, kanava and kozhiyala'' are among the other visitors that swim into the trap. A few years ago, one of the weakened piles on the right head of the 60-years-old pier developed a crack leading to the collapse of a platform measuring about . And on 8 July, a portion of the sidewall gave in to the powerful waves lashing the structure and plunged into the sea. Currently visitors are prohibited from going out on Valiathura pier. In 2007, the Harbour Engineering Department announced a project for its reconstruction. St. Antony’s Forane Church St. Antony’s Forane Church Valiathura was established in 1530 by Franciscan missionaries. Valiathura has more than seven centuries of Christian heritage. In the 13th century, Pope Innocent IV sent a few Franciscan and Dominican missionaries to Kollam, Mampally and Valiathura to proclaim the Gospel. The geographical boundary of Valiathura Parish till the beginning of 20th century extended from Shangumugham to Beemapally in the south. Later, the parish was bifurcated for administrative convenience. Consequently, the parishes of St. Ann’s Church Valiathope; Assumption Church Cheriyathura; St. Xaviers Church Valiathura and finally Fatima Matha Church Kochuthope came into existence. The famous pilgrim center Madre de Deus Church Vettukad