Fishermen Struggles
THE LIVILIHOOD STRUGGLES OF ARTISANAL FISHERFOLK OF KERALA
Russel Ignatius . L.
Abstract: In this article an attempt is made to study the peculiarities of artisanal fisher folk of Kerala and their livelihood issues, in the changing scenario of modernization of fishery sectors with the introduction of trawling and other artificial methods of fishing which endanger their very ethos and livelihood possibilities. We travel through their rough tides of struggles to protect their livelihood and suggesting serene possible solutions.
Introduction
Kerala, God’s own country, has a coastal line of 590 km. length which is less than 10% of the country 's total coastal line. Fishing is the mainstay of about 3.6% of the State 's population. More than 9.29 lakhs fishermen comprising 7.20 lakhs (77.50%) in marine and 2.09 lakhs (22.50%) in inland sector are engaged in fishing. Its water front contributes to about 25% of the country 's fish catch, providing a livelihood to the State 's fishing community. The fish-able area in Kerala consists of the continental shelf within 200m. depth range, spread over 39 lakh hectares and the inland water areas suitable for promotion of culture fisheries spread over 3.61 lakh hectares. The total fish production in Kerala during 1988-89 is estimated to be 3.87 lakh tonnes, including 0.289 lakh tonnes of inland fishes. In the early 1960s, artisanal fishers numbered about 85,000; by the 1980s that figure was over 106,000 but by then there were also 17,500 workers in the mechanised fisheries sector, the artisanal fishers had some 34,000 craft and produced over 60% of the marine catch while there were 3,000 mechanised boats in the 'modern ' sector.
The Artisanal Fisher folk
Artisanal fishery is but a general term for fishing techniques that are far from homogeneous. The design of the craft used along the coastline varies, being closely adapted to the physical geography of the coast and the habits of the fish. It ranges from the large
Russel Ignatius . L.
Abstract: In this article an attempt is made to study the peculiarities of artisanal fisher folk of Kerala and their livelihood issues, in the changing scenario of modernization of fishery sectors with the introduction of trawling and other artificial methods of fishing which endanger their very ethos and livelihood possibilities. We travel through their rough tides of struggles to protect their livelihood and suggesting serene possible solutions.
Introduction
Kerala, God’s own country, has a coastal line of 590 km. length which is less than 10% of the country 's total coastal line. Fishing is the mainstay of about 3.6% of the State 's population. More than 9.29 lakhs fishermen comprising 7.20 lakhs (77.50%) in marine and 2.09 lakhs (22.50%) in inland sector are engaged in fishing. Its water front contributes to about 25% of the country 's fish catch, providing a livelihood to the State 's fishing community. The fish-able area in Kerala consists of the continental shelf within 200m. depth range, spread over 39 lakh hectares and the inland water areas suitable for promotion of culture fisheries spread over 3.61 lakh hectares. The total fish production in Kerala during 1988-89 is estimated to be 3.87 lakh tonnes, including 0.289 lakh tonnes of inland fishes. In the early 1960s, artisanal fishers numbered about 85,000; by the 1980s that figure was over 106,000 but by then there were also 17,500 workers in the mechanised fisheries sector, the artisanal fishers had some 34,000 craft and produced over 60% of the marine catch while there were 3,000 mechanised boats in the 'modern ' sector.
The Artisanal Fisher folk
Artisanal fishery is but a general term for fishing techniques that are far from homogeneous. The design of the craft used along the coastline varies, being closely adapted to the physical geography of the coast and the habits of the fish. It ranges from the large
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