The study looks into the pattern of fish marketing in which women traditionally engage through two decades (1960-1980) and their struggle for survival. This study has been conducted in four villages in the district of Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala, a South Indian State. In 1984 Trivandrum accounted for 15 per cent of the total fish catch of Kerala. 64 per cent of this catch was auctioned. Women fish sellers sold 69 per cent of this catch by carrying it on their heads and hawking it. This labour is informal.