*Saving the fishing sector*



Now, it is up to the administration to protect and preserve the fisherfolk
for tomorrow's better industrial development in the fishing sector. Needless
to say, it is one of the important sectors for the island's economy, which
should be, improved many folds for the future development and welfare of the
islanders.



By P.M.Mohan



The fisherfolk are the most important component of the coastal environment
and living marine resources. Because of them only, the utilization of
these resources can be achieved in better manner. So, it is essential to
develop and strengthen this community as a best community for this island
groups. After 2004 December 26th, the disaster tsunami affected the
fisherfolk community in large, which leads to a great loss to their
livelihood such as residence, crafts, gear, etc.

The study suggested that the maximum fisherfolk community is from 10 years
category. Dam Roy and Dorairaj (1994) and Atlanta Ghosh (2002) also
reported this factor earlier. This classification of category made them to
feel a different kind of attitude that they are insecure, and they have an
inclination for shifting of job or place. This attitude should be removed
from their mind to save the fishing industry of this island.

The migrant fisherfolk have come with family and also adopt family
government norms very strictly. So, the population increments are not having
any explosive effect on this community in near future.

The educational status of their children shows that 50 % of their children
are studying in schools. It is comparatively larger compared to any menial
labourer's community. Moreover, the remaining population also should be
brought in line. It is essential to motivate them for education, if possible
on fishery related sciences. It becomes more essential to this island
community's improvement as well as for the exploitation of fishery
resources.

This community mainly concentrates on fishing activities only so, it is
essential to develop their skill by scientific training to enhance their
effort as well as that of their children who have an aptitude for it.
Similarly,
it is also important to enhance their marketing skills and processing
technique in small scale to enhance their profitability further.

The earning of these fisherfolk is at a very low. The authorities should
take appropriate action to improve their earning by identifying their
shortcomings. The social life of these fisherfolk shows they continue to
live Below Poverty Line. This almost matches with the national scenario of
the fisherfolk.

The crafts and gear data suggest that at least 60% of their population have
their own crafts and gear. Alagaraja reports (1987) suggest there is an
increment of crafts in these islands. However, the crafts ownership data
suggest that the persons who are having crafts may vary in numbers from one
to three. These boats are dinghy without motors or with outboard motors or
diesel engines. Since, crafts are old model as well as outdated ones, the
administration might consider providing them with sophisticated equipment,
which may provide a state-of-the-art technology that will enhance the
quality of fishing. This may enhance their performance and bring improvement
to fishing industry. But mere possession of sophisticated equipment might
not be sufficient for good performance on the field. So, the administration
should take care on this aspect and develop a way to enhance the fishing
capability of the community.

The tsunami has provided great opportunity to plan this activity and enhance
the same at the earliest. James (1984) also reported on the similar line for
the utilization of the confiscated vessels of the Administration, i.e., some
of which are of a very sophisticated nature with all facilities on
board. These
boats may be supplied at concessional rate to the fisherfolk for the better
utilization.

The gear (gill net), which the fisherfolk use are Farsa Nylon jaal,
Kappatharani Nylon Jaal, Bangadi Nylon Jaal and Surmai Nylon Jaal with a
mesh size of 3, 4, 4.5 to 5 and 14, respectively. This can now be
regularized by way of providing natural tread net instead of synthetic tread
alongwith the size of net and also regularized by way of right mesh size
which is essential for the sustainable fishing activities. Moreover, the
survey also suggests that most of these materials are lost. So, when it is
replaced the above norms can be followed and the sustainable growth of the
industry monitored.

Moreover, to the craft and gears the other fishing accessories such as
icebox, anchor, hook and line, sinker, float, etc. also missed or lost by
the tsunami's impact. These materials also need to be provided with a
wider perception of advanced technology, in view of the need for the of
growth of this industry.

The survey also informed that major source of investment on these crafts and
gears are from the bank loan only and not in 100 % subsidy. In these
circumstances, instead of pressurizing the fisherfolk to pay the loan or
withdrawal of the loan is not essential. This amount may be provided as a
very long-term loan through their co-operative society that may enhance the
government investment as well as the growth of the industry.

Since, there is lot of problem on the availability of fish due to deep-water
nature of the island ecology. The condition here are not like near shore
environment that exists on the mainland and restriction on fishing, due to
the different environment condition, along with the different kind of
legislation, which has worsen this problem further. So, it is also an
essential need to provide a safe, sophisticated technology to venture for
long distance fishing during the time of bad weather as well as during
regular fishing season.

The species of catch by these fisherfolk suggest that they are good
marketable species only. However, considering the amount of catch, it shows
very poor result, which is not at all profitable for the efforts they put
in, in these activities. So, the administration should take care of this
aspect and find a way to improve the production rate at across the board.

Since, these islands have the concept of development of downthrown through
co-operative society web concept which of course, has failed in the
fisherfolk welfare activities. It is one of the gray areas for the
development of fisherfolk. So, the administration should concentrate and
develop an effective co-operative society movement among the fisherfolk
community and make it mandatory for their livelihood. This will also help
for the availability of statistics for this community along with monitoring
and importing new technique for the welfare of their goodness.

Further, the submergence of agricultural land around the coastal areas may
become a good ground for aquaculture, especially for prawn and cultivable
fishes. The fertilizer already used in this ground may grow good amount of
algal mate which is essential for aquaculture. Moreover, the submergence of
all the land should not be used as full level aquaculture. Instead of that
half of the land can be used for the first year aquaculture and second year
aquaculture in the other half of the land and leave the first half for
natural reclamation of the environment till next year. This will also
solve the problem of endangering the environment by natural reclamation. This
can be achieved by way of constant monitoring.

The fisherfolk also informed that they may switch over to other job because
of survival needs. So, the proper counseling as well as proper aid for their
better prospects in this industry should change the psychology of the
fisherfolk. If not, this will lead to the loss of this community. Now, it
is up to the administration to protect and preserve them for the tomorrow's
better industrial development in the fishing sector. Needless to say, it
is one of the important sectors for the island's economy, which should be,
improved many folds for the future development and welfare of the islanders.


The author is the Head, Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology,
Pondicherry University, JNRM Campus.


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