Fish prices could drop and the standard of living of fisherfolk improve if the government introduces a multi-tiered system of management involving everyone from the buyer to the fisherman, according to a UN study for the fisheries department of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The Fisheries Management for Sustainable Livelihoods study, funded by the World Bank, says the state should revamp the system immediately. It suggests that the government rationalize the fleet size by buying back fishing trawlers. There are too many trawlers operating off Rameswaram, and this is a major reason for the attack on Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan seas, it said. A comprehensive policy to compensate the trawler owners and fishermen and resettle them with better livelihood options has also been recommended.
C M Muralidharan, national project coordinator of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, which prepared the report, said the Tamil Nadu Fishermen’s Cooperative Federation has to be restored. “Strengthening the co-operative bodies is the best solution to ensure the welfare of the fisheries sector. Fleet reduction was also suggested by fishing communities across the state, especially in Rameswaram. The state government can come up with a comprehensive plan of compensations and livelihood options for hundreds of fishermen who are struggling,” he said.
The report focuses on ensuring the improvement of fishing communities and the healthy trade practices. “With out a co-operative model, there is no point in investing crores in the sector. The localised cooperative bodies controlled by a state network will understand the problems of fishermen and improve the trade networks and quality of fishing,” said Muralidharan.
A senior fisheries department official said the industry is controlled by middlemen who do not represent the fishing community, but are just making profits. “Matsyafed, the Kerala state co-operative federation for the fisheries development, could be a better model. Such a representation of the fishing community will help create equity among traditional fishermen and trawlers,” he said.
2012 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.