Economics of the indigenous fishing units at Cochin: a case study

Abstract

During the last three decades we have witnessed progress in the marine fisheries sector, particularly in the introduction of mechanised fishing crafts, use of synthetic material for gear and development of infrastructure facilities. The traditional fisheries sector, still using indigenous crafts such as catamarans and canoes, has taken advantage of nyion in fabricating their fishing gear. On an average, our annual marine fish production is about 1.3 million tonnes, of which nearlyOO per cent is accounted for by traditional fishing methods from a narrow belt along our coast. In spite of this importance, hardly any serious study has been carried out on the economics of operation of the artisanal fisheries in the country. The present report by Shri A. Noble and Shri V. A. Narayanankutty of this Institute on the economics of the indigenous fishing units at Cochin is a case study on some aspects of the small-scale fisheries of the Cochin area. The study is based on several years data collected by the Institute and is but a small step towards understanding the problems of traditional fisheries. The Institute has programmed to take up similar studies in other regions along our coast. The issue of this Number on the occasion of the Seminar on "The Role of Small-scale Fisheries and Coastal Aquaculture in Integrated Rural Development" is considered timely as it focuses attention on an area needing intensive studies and critical evaluation of available information to assist in coastal rural development. E.