Traditional fishing (karaivalai fishing) remains one of the oldest forms where 30-50 fishermen work together to haul the net laid out in sea from the shore. These nets are typically placed at a distance of one nautical mile (around 2 km) from the shore. However, this method has witnessed a sharp decline in Kanniyakuamari and Thoothukudi districts because of climate change and disruption of marine ecosystem.
“Earlier, around 50 persons would be involved in hauling the trawling net from the sea, but now it has been reduced to 10-15 members per operation,” said Karunakaran from Kovalam in Kanniyakuamri district, speaking about the decline in participation in this traditional practice.
Mr. Karunakaran said 15 years ago, many people relied on this method for their livelihood, but now it was predominantly carried out by a few elderly individuals in the village, reflecting a decline in the quantity of fish catch. One of major causes of disruptions in the marine ecosystem was the rampant discharge of sewage into the sea.
Gowtham, fisherman from Thoothukudi Harbour Beach who has been into fishing for over 15 years, shared similar concerns. He said the peak season for the traditional fishing spans from October to mid-January, largely depending on the northeast monsoon and wind direction.
He said that he once caught a maximum of 40 tonnes using this method, but now the quantity had declined to 10 tonnes. “Previously there were nearly 33 groups involved in this business, but now only six remain in my village,” he said.
Commenting on this, an official from the Fisheries Department said the decline in the traditional fishing method was majorly due to the unpredictable climate and damage to marine ecosystems. She added that compared to other coastal regions of the State, the coast in south India had a higher number of people involved in this business, despite the numerous challenges they faced. The official emphasised that addressing these issues required coordinated efforts to restore the marine biodiversity.