CHAPTER III MARINE FISHERIES BACKGROUND OF KANYAKUMARI DISRICT

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1 54 CHAPTER III MARINE FISHERIES BACKGROUND OF KANYAKUMARI DISRICT This part of the study aims to bring out a brief account of the salient features of marine fishery industry in Kanyakumari District. The structure of fishermen population, their educational status and occupational structure, fishing assets, housing conditions, general economic infrastructure and the marine fishery infrastructure are the main features covered in this chapter. These directly or indirectly contribute the growth of marine fishery sector and uplift the social and economic status of marine fishing villages in Kanyakumari district Location Kanyakumari District lies between and of the eastern longitude and and of the northern latitude. It is situated in the Southern extremity of the Indian Peninsula and has a coast line of kilometers extending from Cape Comorin to Arockiapuram on the east coast and from Cape Comorin to Neerodi on the west coast 1. The structure and various features of marine fishery industry of this region was dealt by Chacko and George (1958) Padmanaban (1966) and Lazarus and Joel (1979). In their opinion, Kanyakumari coast is endowed with rich fishery potential which remains underexploited. One of the India s richest fishing grounds; the Wadge Bank occupies nearly sq. km. in area is located about 56 km. south of Cape Comorin. 2

2 Monsoons Fish production depends mainly on monsoons. Kanyakumari district enjoys two monsoons, the south west monsoon and the north east monsoon. The south west monsoon is received between June and September and the north east monsoon season starts on September and ends in December Distribution of Fisher folk The supply of labour in an economy depends upon the size of total population and the percentage of working population. The marine fishermen population of Kanyakumari District is distributed in 47 coastal villages. Their family size is normally large. The average fishermen family has 3.89 persons in Kanyakumari District but the state average family size of fishermen population is 4.17 persons. A District wise analysis of fisher folk indicates that Kanyakumari District ranks second in the State, in respect of fishermen population next to Ramanathapuram district, which has the most number of fisher folk in Tamil Nadu. The table no. 3.1 gives a brief account of the age and sex-wise distribution of fisher folk in Kanyakumari District.

3 56 Table 3.1 Age and sex-wise Distribution of Fisher folk in Kanyakumari District 2010 Age group Number of Males Number of Females Total Population 1 Children (Below 17) (30.28) (31.18) (30.72) 2 Adults (18 and above) (69.72) (68.82) (69.28) Total Source : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Note : Figures in parentheses denote percentages. The table 3.1 emphasise that the male population outnumbered the female population which means, the sex-ratio is in favour of male population. It is an unhealthy sign on the part of socio economic status of the fisher folk in Kanyakumari District. The number of persons in the dependant age group (children) is less compared to the number of persons in the working age group. This indicates a low dependency ratio accompanied with a higher labour supply. This will be a good indicator of economic prosperity and comparatively higher social status. The ratio of the number of children to the number of adults is Without considering the population in the aged group; the district gets hold of nearly 20 per cent of the State s fisher folk in working age group Educational Status The level of education is also a determinant of the socio-economic status. Population with higher level of education will provide an efficient workforce

4 57 which is directly linked with economic efficiency. Various studies indicated that the correlation between education and child labour participation is negative. The educational status of the fishermen community is normally low compared to some other backward communities in the State. The table no. 3.2 depicts educational status of fisher folk in Kanyakumari District. Table 3.2 Educational Status of Fisher folk in Kanyakumari District 2010 Level of Education Number of Persons Percentage 1 Primary School Middle School High School Higher Secondary School Degree Technical and Professional Illiterates Total Source : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. The given table 3.2 depicts that the status of education of Kanyakumari district fisher folk is very high compared to the fisher folk of Tamil Nadu as a whole. The district has 5.35 per cent illiterate fisher folk and per cent got education up to degree as well as technical and professional level. The fisher folk

5 58 who have completed higher secondary education come to 9.41 per cent in Kanyakumari district which accounts for 23 per cent of the state s fisher folk who have completed the higher secondary level education. Further, it is reported that the female fisher folk are more educated than the male fisher folk which reveals that the female fisher folk of Kanyakumari district enjoys a higher social status Housing Conditions Shelter is the basic human requirement. Investment in shelter not only enhances and expands the available stock of housing units but also improve the living environment. Traditionally, the fisher folk in this district used to live in small huts thatched with coconut palm with an all purpose hall and a kitchen. The tiled houses have a kitchen, a hall and a room. (John Samuel. 1998). The table no. 3.3 explains the housing conditions of fisher folk in Kanyakumari District. Table 3.3 Housing conditions of fisher folk in Kanyakumari District 2010 Type of House Tamil Nadu (number of units) Kanyakumari District (number of units) Percentage to the State 1 Kutcha house (23.38) 1016 (2.52) Pucca house (76.62) (97.48) Total Source : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Note : Figures in parentheses represent percentages. The marine fisheries census 2010, classified the houses of fisher folk into two types, Kutcha houses and Pucca houses. Pucca houses are more comfortable

6 59 to live and equipped with better facilities and most of the consumer durables. Kutcha houses are small huts thatched with coconut palm. Altogether, Kanyakumari district has per cent of the State s Pucca houses and only 2.25 per cent of the Kutcha houses of fisher folk. On average, most of the fishermen households are enjoying a comfortable shelter in Kanyakumari District Religion-wise Distribution of Fisher folk The fisher folk in Kanyakumari district belong to Mukkuvar and Paravar castes. Their origin was in the east coast and they migrated to this district in the 16 th century A.D. (Krishnan 2010). Hindus, Christians, and Muslims are the three major religious classes of fisher folk in Tamil Nadu. Most of the fishermen families in Tamil Nadu have faith in Hinduism whereas; in Kanyakumari District most of them are Catholic Christians. Their ancestors were baptized by St. Francis Xavier some 500 years ago (Krishnan 2010). The father (Priest of the local church) is the religious head of each coastal village who wields much influence on the fishermen activities in the villages (Lazarus and Joel 1979). The table no. 3.4 brings out the religion-wise classification of fishermen families in Kanyakumari District.

7 60 Table 3.4 Religion-wise distribution of fishermen families in Kanyakumari District 2010 Religion Number of families in the State Number of families in Kanyakumari District Percentage to the State 1 Christianity (36.69) (99.24) Hinduism (56.65) 251 (0.06) Islam (6.69) 54 (0.01) 0.42 Total Source Note : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. : Figures in parentheses represent percentages. The fisher folk who have faith in Christianity account for per cent of the total fishermen families in Kanyakumari District. Hindus (0.06) and Muslims (0.01) constitute a negligent portion of the total fishermen families. It is interesting to note the fact that fishing is not the main occupation of the Hindu fisherman of Kanyakumari west coast Active Fisher folk The economically active fisher folk consist of the people who actually engaged in fishing and those people who actively involved in fish seed collection. In India, as per recent report, about 38 per cent of the marine fisher folk are involved in active fishing. In this, 85 per cent pursuing fishing as a full time livelihood. 5 The details on the active fisher folk of Kanyakumari district is depicted in Table no.3.5.

8 61 Table 3.5 Active Fisher folk in Kanyakumari District 2010 Activity Full Timers (in number) Part-Timers (in number) Total State Total 1 Fishing 2 Fish seed collection (96.96) 1243 (3.04) 3836 (91.73) 346 (8.27) (96.47) 1589 (3.53) (99.47) 2130 (0.53) Total Source : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Note : Figures in parentheses represent percentages. The table no.3.5 reveals that per cent of the district s fisher folk is actively involved in fishing. The part-time fishing is carried out by around 30 per cent of the States part-time fisher folk. The people who have engaged in fish seed collection in the state are very less, and most of them are found in Kanyakumari District Occupational Structure The fishing occupation, in general, is considered as an inferior profession in society. Only the traditional community of fishermen developed the industry for centuries. According to Marine Fisheries Census 2010, about 63.6 per cent of the fisher folk are engaged in fishing and fishery related activities in all the nine maritime states and union territories in India.

9 62 Apart from their main occupation, fish marketing, making or repairing fishing nets, fish curing and processing, peeling and salting or icing are some of the fishery related activities carried out by the fisher folk. These activities are usually undertaken by female members of the fishermen families. The following table no. 3.6 explains the gender wise distribution of fisher folk engaged in fishery related activities in Kanyakumari District.

10 63 Table 3.6 Occupational structure of Fisher folk in fishery related activities in Kanyakumari District Activities Number of Fishermen Number of Fisher women Total State Total Percent age to the state 1 Fish marketing 278 (19.2) 2527 (55.23) 2805 (48.51) Net making and repairing 382 (26.40) 654 (14.30) 1036 (17.92) Curing/fish processing 127 (8.78) 524 (11.45) 751 (12.99) Peeling 28 (1.93) 129 (2.82) 157 (12.72) Physical Labour 368 (25.43) 259 (5.66) 627 (10.84) Others 264 (18.24) 482 (10.54) 746 (12.90) Total Source Note : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. : Figures in parentheses represent percentages. The table 3.6 shows that the number of persons engaged in the fishery related activities throughout Tamilnadu is very less compared to the number of persons engaged in fishing. Almost, all these activities are female centred except the physical labour. In these occupations, fish marketing has the highest percentage of women participation in Kanyakumari district as well as in the state of Tamil Nadu.

11 Fishing Crafts Kattumaram and canoe are the two main types of craft operated by the traditional fishery sector of Kanyakumari District. These crafts have been propelled by oar or sail which involve lot of physical power and hardships. Nowadays, the number of Kattumaram and Canoe in operation started decreasing whereas; the number of motorized and mechanized crafts and their area of operation have increased significantly. Still, the Kattumaram and canoe play a vital role in the fishing operations of Kanyakumari district. The details about the type of fishing crafts engaged in the marine fishery sector of Kanyakumari district is illustrated by the table no Table 3.7 Registered Fishing Crafts in Kanyakumari District Types of craft Number of crafts in the State Number of crafts in Kanyakumari District Percentage to the State 1 Mechanised crafts Trawlers Gillnetters Liners (22.34) (10.18) Motorised crafts (54.75) 6672 (64.65) Non-Motorised crafts (22.91) 2597 (25.17) Total Source Note : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. : Figures in parentheses represent percentages.

12 65 It is evident from the table no.3.7, that the motorized crafts ranked first among the different types of fishing crafts operated throughout Tamil Nadu and particularly in Kanyakumari coasts. These account for per cent of the total fishing crafts of Kanyakumari district and in the state it comes to per cent. Despite the advantages of motorized and mechanised crafts, the ordinary Kattumaram and Canoe have a pride of place in the coastal belt of Tamil Nadu particularly in Kanyakumari district. This may be due to higher operating cost, marketing problems and insufficient storage and berthing facility which are the main problems faced by the mechanized sector. Liners are the crafts meant for special type of fishing operation which is most relevant to the fishery sector of Kanyakumari district. The number of mechanized crafts in operation shows an increasing trend throughout the state of Tamil Nadu as well as in Kanyakumari district Fishing Gears The gears used for fishing in an area have been designed to suit the local conditions such as the physical features of the fishing ground, the nature and character of marine species, the availability of fishing harbour and the nature of demand for fish. Traditionally, the fishermen used the home made cotton nets for fishing. Now-a-days, due to the introduction of new technology, the fishermen use the nets made out of synthetic fibres. 6 The table no.3.8 briefly accounts the different types of fishing gears operated by the fisher folk of Kanyakumari district.

13 66 Table 3.8 Fishing Gears operated by the Fisher folk of Kanyakumari District 2010 Fishing Gears 1 Trawl net Tamil Nadu (in numbers) 6286 (10.31) Kanyakumari District (in numbers) 460 (4.97) Percentage to the State Boat Seine 1244 (2.04) 130 (1.40) Ring Seine 1477 (2.42) 151 (1.63) Drift net 8175 (13.41) 1116 (12.07) Gill net (50.19) 4263 (46.13) Hook and Line 6563 (10.76) 2589 (28.01) Troll lines 1359 (2.23) 397 (4.29) Shore Seine 5033 (8.25) 114 (1.03) Traps 231 (0.38) 21 (0.02) 9.09 Total Source Note : Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. : Figures in parentheses represent percentages. Gillnet forms the main type of fishing gear owned by the fisher folk of Kanyakumari district. It accounts for per cent of the total number of fishing gears operated in this district. The gears such as hook and line and driftnet occupied the second and third position. Besides, trawl net and troll lines form a significant portion of the fishing gears of the Kanyakumari fisher folk. The table no.3.8 further indicates that hook and line fishing is practiced throughout the

14 67 Tamil nadu coast but, it is a peculiar type of fishing undertaken by shark fishers of west coast in Kanyakumari district General Infrastructure The growth of an industry largely depends upon the facilities and services extended to the industry by the allied sector. Transport, Tele-communications, electricity, Finance, water supply etc, are the prime services that help in the development of marine fisheries sector. The marine fisheries census of India 2010, reported that there are 47 coastal villages spread in the east coast and west coast of Kanyakumari District. The general infrastructure facilities available in the coastal belt of Kanyakumari district is given in table no Table 3.9 General Infrastructure facilities in the coastal villages of Kanyakumari District Infrastructure Tamil Nadu (in numbers) Kanyakumari District (in numbers) percentage to the State 1 Villages Electrified Villages with Bus stop Public health centers/ hospitals Banks Community centers Police station Post Office Fishermen cooperative societies Source: Marine Fishieries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Agriculture,

15 68 The table 3.9 shows that per cent of the coastal villages are provided with electricity and are connected by road with bus transport. The fisher folk availed medical and health services through 22 public / private health centres and hospitals. Banking services are supplied by 34 private and government sector banks which comprise of percentage of the total number of banks functioning in the coastal villages of Tamil Nadu. There are 57 co-operative societies established to meet the requirements of the fisher folk. The other public services like police and postal services are also provided in some of the coastal villages of Kanyakumari district Fishery and Marketing Infrastructure The post harvest fishery activities such as fish handling, fish preservation, processing and distribution of fish form the vital aspect of technological change in the fishing industry. Adequate marketing infrastructure such as freezing points / ice plants, cold storage units etc., will help to store the excess catch during good seasons. Fish processing plants and fish oil extraction units produce value added products which help the fishermen to fetch higher returns. The following table (table no. 3.10) briefly accounts the existing marine fishery and marketing infrastructure in Kanyakumari district.

16 69 Table 3.10 Marine Fishery and Marketing Infrastructure in Kanyakumari District Infrastructure Tamil Nadu (in numbers) Kanyakumari District (in numbers) Percentage to the State 1 Boat yards Ice factories Cold storage Freezing points Curing yards Peeling Sheds Processing Plants Extraction Plants Source: Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Some of these services are underprovided which are considered as the prime reasons for the outmigration of boat operators of Kanyakumari district. The fishermen are not able to earn a fair return when they enjoy a particularly good catch in the native district. Absence of curing yards, freezing points and processing plants forced the fishermen to sell their catch on the spot price rather than storing or processing it on the expectation of reaping higher net returns during lean season. Ice factories and cold storages are run by both private and public sector. Most of the public sector ice factories in this district stopped their production. The output of existing ice plants is inadequate to meet the local needs of ice blocks. The price of ice is often very high, which raises the operating costs. There are 22

17 70 boatyards and one medium size fishing harbour at Chinnamuttom which provides berthing to the crafts in Kanyakumari district. More number of fishing harbour is the need of the day. Now the Tamil Nadu Government takes initiative to construct three other fishing harbours in the coastal belt of Kanyakumari District Electronic Devices Technological change in the fisheries sector not only changed the method of fish production but also introduced new scientific gadgets and electronic communication devices such as radar, sonar, Echo-sounder, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Wireless etc., in fishing operation. Echo-sounder helps to spot out the fish shoal locations in the deep waters. The GPS reads the depth and temperature of water at the spot. 7 The number and types of electronic communication devices and the life saving equipments owned by the fishermen families in Kanyakumari district is given in the table no Table 3.11 Life saving equipments and Electronic Communication Devices owned by the Fishermen households in Kanyakumari District Equipments/ Devices Life saving Equipments Number of families in the State Number of families in Kanyakumari District Percentage to the State Mobile Phone Global Positioning System (GPS) Others Total Source: Marine Fisheries Census 2010, Tamil Nadu, Part II (4), Ministry of Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Agriculture,

18 71 The table brings out the fact that most of the Kanyakumari fisher folk owns the electronic devices like mobile phone, GPS and life saving equipments needed for fishing operations. There are 3807 families own GPS which account for percentage of the fishermen families in the state of Tamil Nadu. Altogether fishermen families of Kanyakumari district own different types of life saving equipments and electronic devices, which comprise of per cent of the fishermen families in the state Fish Production Sardine, Mackerels, Cuttle fish, White bait, Tuna, Ribbon fish, Seer fish, Rock perches etc., are the main species of fish caught in the traditional and mechanized fishery sector of Kanyakumari district 8. The table no depicts the annual marine fish production from to in Kanyakumari district.

19 72 Year Table 3.12 Annual Marine Fish Production in Kanyakumari District (Production in Tonnes) Landings of Mechanised crafts Landings of Non mechanised crafts Total landings Average Source: Krishnan V. An Economic Study of Migration of Fishermen from Kanyakumari District, Ph. D. Thesis, M. S. University Tirunelveli. Feb. 2010, P.82. Statistical Handbook of Tamilnadu Various Issues. There has been a wide fluctuation in the annual marine fish production in Kanyakumari district. The landings of mechanised crafts have showed a positive

20 73 deviation from the average in 5 years, particularly after 2008 and negative deviation in 13 years. Similarly, the landings of non mechanised crafts showed a positive change from the average in 11 years and negative change in 7 years. The total marine fish landings exceeded the average landings in 10 years and less than the average in 8 years during the period under consideration. The landing figures further indicate that the loss in the landings of non mechanised sector, especially after 2008, is mainly due to the gain in the landings of mechanised sector Marine Fishermen Welfare Schemes The Central and State Governments have introduced several welfare schemes and assistance to uplift the socio-economic conditions of marine fishermen. All these schemes are implemented in this district through the Assistant Director of Fisheries (marine), Nagercoil. Various benefit schemes and the procedures followed to obtain these benefits have been listed below. (i) (ii) National Fishermen Savings - Cum Relief Assistance at a rate of Rs.600 for three lean months for active fishermen in the age group of 18 to 60 years and must be a member of Fishermen Co-operative Society. This scheme is implemented with beneficiary s contribution. Tamil Nadu State Fisher Women Savings Cum Relief Assistance, at a rate of Rs.600 for three lean months for fisher women actively involved in full time fishery related activities and must be a member of Fisher women Co-operative Society. This scheme is also implemented with beneficiary s contribution. (iii) State Government s Relief Assistance Rs.2000 per active fishermen during fishing ban period.

21 74 (iv) To ensure the conservation of fishery resources, the government impose complete ban on fishing by mechanized crafts for one and a half months or 45 days every year. In the east coast the fishing ban period begins on the middle of April and runs up to the end of June. In the west coast it starts on the middle of June and ends on July last. (v) Central and State s Group Accident Scheme for full time fishermen who are members of Fishermen Co-operative Society. A sum of Rs is paid in case of death or permanent disability and a sum of Rs is paid in case of partial disability. (vi) Fishermen / Fisher Women Personal Accident Insurance Scheme for the members of fishermen / fisher women co-operative society and engaged in full time fishing and fishery related activity. A sum of Rs is paid in case of death or permanent disability and a sum of Rs is paid in case of partial disability. (vii) Subsidy for mechanization of registered traditional crafts possessing fishing license. A maximum amount of Rs or the actual coast of the engine is granted as subsidy. (viii) Financial Assistance to wards of fishermen for up gradation of skills and maritime education. (ix) Daily Relief Assistance for missing fishermen family at Rs.50 per day for one month. (x) Conversion of mechanized fishing boat and upgradation of Motorized Crafts as Tuna Liners. In order to reduce fishing pressure in the inshore area and to tap the off shore fishery resources, the government has launched a scheme to procure tuna liners. In this scheme, a maximum amount of Rs or 25 per cent of the actual cost per boat is granted as subsidy.

22 75 (xi) Special Scheme of Assistance for the Higher Education of Children of missing or the deceased fishermen while fishing in sea. The various marine fishermen welfare schemes implemented and the amount of relief disbursed to the fisher folk of Kanyakumari district, as per recent report, is illustrated by the table Table 3.13 Marine Fishermen Welfare Schemes, the number of Beneficiaries and the amount of Funds disbursed in Kanyakumari District Welfare Schemes National Fishermen Saving Cum Relief Scheme Tamil Nadu State Fisherwomen Saving Cum Relief Scheme Relief Assistance during Fishing ban Fishermen Group Accident Insurance Scheme Fishermen Personal Accident Insurance Scheme Mechanisation of Traditional Crafts Financial Assistance to Wards of Fishermen for Skill upgradation Daily Relief Assistance for missing fishermen family Conversion of Mechanised Fishing Boat and up gradation of motorized crafts as tuna liners Period Beneficiaries Amount disbursed (Rs. in lakhs) Source: Published Report, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Nagercoil.

23 76 The table reveals that most of the beneficiaries and maximum amount of relief is disbursed on National Fishermen Saving Cum Relief Scheme. In addition to these, scheme for fishermen free housing, tax free diesel and subsidized kerosene are some of the other assistances extended to the fisher folk of Kanyakumari district and the Tamil Nadu state as a whole. REFERENCES 1. Lazarus, S. and Joel, J.J. The pelagic Fisheries Resources of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, South India, Seafood Export Journal, May 1979, P.9 2. Sathiadhas, R. and Benjamin, R.E. A note on the operational cost and returns of seasonal mixture madi operations along Kanyakumari Coast, Seafood Export Journal, January 1991, P Krishnan, V. An Economic study on migration of fishermen from Kanyakumari District, (Ph.D.Thesis), M.S.University, Tirunelveli, Feb.2010, P Marine fisheries census:2010, Tamil Nadu, Part-II (4) 5. Coast Track, vol.ii, (1&2), Anna University Campus, Chennai, Apr-Sep. 2012, P.4 6. Krishnan, V. Op.cit P Lailas,R. The Impact of Ring Seine Fishing Technology on the Traditional Marine fisheries Sector of Kerala, (Ph.D.Thesis), University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Nov.1999, P Published Report, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Nagercoil.