Effect of declining oil sardine landings on the livelihoods of traditional fishers in Kerala

Abstract

The Indian oil sardine, is a very Sardinella longiceps important pelagic fish species which contributes to about 25% of the total marine fish production in India. The oil sardine contribution slipped to an all-time low of about 68,431 tonnes during 2015. Unfavourable environmental impact caused by the El Nino appears to have played a powerful role in the slump of oil sardine fishery. There have been considerable losses in the income and number of employment days. The losses are contributed not only by reduction and reduced catches but also reduced number of fishing operations and fisher man days. The present study probes with the following objectives viz., assessing the share of different crafts and gears harvesting oil sardine over the years, estimating the quantum of losses consequent to reduced landings and efforts and assessing the impact on reduction in landings on employment. The analysis revealed that the average employment loss during 2015 was estimated as 129.84 crores and the wage loss as 104.58 crore. The total economic loss incurred to the fishermen was found to be 234.42crores. The constraints expressed by the fishers indicated that reduced income and increased employment and increased debts were the major impending factor the for reduced landings of sardine. The study highlights the need for governmental guidelines in demarcating areas for sardine catches for the traditional fishermen so that the livelihood isn't affected and would reduce fishing pressure from other sectors