Technological changes in marine fishing and livelihood threats of fisher folk

Abstract

The growing demand for fish in the developed and developing countries and the recognition of its place as a balanced diet to the rapidly growing population ensuring food security and as a foreign exchange earner are creating immense pressure on the world of fisheries. In the context of stagnating/depleting catches, sustainable development of fisheries sector and the livelihood of fishers become problems. The concern over the sustainability of fisheries resources and the resulting threat on the livelihood of the traditional fishers in Kerala form the subject matter of the present study. The study includes descriptive, exploratory and confirmatory research. It reveals that technological developments resulted in the stagnation/declining of marine landings in Kerala. It also identifies the sustainability issues which are directly or indirectly related to technology. Institutional and human conditions like open access, greed and competition make the situation more insecure. Pollution, discards and other institutional factors cause ecosystem damages and the fishers face livelihood threat and insecurity. Apart from these the fishers are deprived of livelihood assets. The threats faced by the fishers are related to work, environment, financial requirement, marketing difficulties and administration. The study reveals that Kerala fisheries are going through the stage of Malthusian overfishing. It concludes that the policies adopted to ameliorate the livelihood conditions of the fishers must be based on the specificity of the need in each particular region. Further studies should be undertaken at the local level emphasizing the concept of sustainable development technology and Place Suited Community Centered Co-management where the principle of subsidiarity should be followed newline