Participation of Women in Fishery Activities a Case Study of Tuticorin District, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Fishing has been considered as a primary livelihood option from time immemorial. People living in coastal areas depend on fishing for their livelihood. Fisheries play a predominant strategic role in the economic activity of our country by its contribution to national income, food and employment. Women play a significant role in the pre and post harvest operations in capture fisheries. Their role in household management is far higher than the women of other sectors. In Tamil Nadu women engage themselves in seaweed collection in addition to the traditional jobs of fish curing, marketing, net making and prawn peeling. The socio-economic structure of small scale fisheries in India is very complex and there are many factors which influence the participation of women in fishery relative activities. To understand these factors, a case study was carried out in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu. Prawn peeling, fish curing, drying, marketing and net making are the major areas of women’s participation. The fish trading women face severe competition not only from the men folk who use two-wheelers in domestic marketing but also from the agents of export companies resulting in the non-availability of quality fishes which commands high demand and price.