Livelihood Issues of Coastal Fisherfolk in Poonthura After the Intiation of Vizhinjam Project

LIVELIHOOD ISSUES OF COASTAL FISHERFOLK IN POONTHURA AFTER THE INTIATION OF VIZHINJAM PROJECT

MA SOCIOLOGY

Table of Contents

CHAPTERS TITLE PAGE NUMBER

I INTRODUCTION 1-10

II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 11-28

III METHODOLOGY 29-32

IV ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 33-64

V FINDINGS, CONCLUSION & 65-69 SUGESSTIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHY 70-72

APPENDIX-I 73 INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

List of figures

Figure Title of figure Page number no:

1.1 Age Distribution 50

1.2 Educational status 51

1.3 Marital status 52

1.4 Working pattern 52

2.1 Challenges to fishing after the initiation of Vizhinjam sea 53 port

2.2 Severe Change in fishing Space 57

3.1 Income instability faced by fisherfolk 60

3.2 Fishing ban near to Vizhinjam sea port 60

3.3 Average monthly income 61

3.4 Loss of Income 62

4.1 Harbor Dependency 62

4.2 Problems in market 63

4.3 Major Issues in the Market 64

iii

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NAME PAGE NUMBER NO:

2.1 Working pattern*Sea roughness 54

2.2 Working pattern*coastal erosion 55

2.3 Working pattern*fish depletion 56

2.4 Working pattern*loss of equipment 57

2.5 Variety of fishes 58

ABSTRACT

Ports and shipping play vital role in the development of the country, however it possess numerous potential risk to marine ecology and the coastal life. .Vizhinjam is known for its large fishing harbour which can accommodate more than 100 fishing boats at a time. Fishermen are involved in fishing, auctioning, fish processing and marketing. Fishermen of Poonthura depend on the fishing harbour for their livelihood. Due to the ongoing dredging for the construction of Vizhinjam International sea port, south side of fishing harbour, there aroused uncertainties for the occupation in the harbour and this human activity threatens the lives of marine organisms as well as the livelihood of the fishermen. The finding of the study shows that the fishermen are struggling for livelihood after the initiation of Vizhinjam port. That human activity creates a big coastal erosion and sea roughness that make the coastal life vulnerable. This study tries to put a light into the impact of Vizhinjam international deep water multipurpose sea port on the lives of the fisher folk who depends on the harbour for their daily earnings.

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

Fishing has been a major source of food for humanity and a provider of employment and economic benefits to those engaged in this activity, from the ancient times (FAO, 1996). The fisheries sector of India is immensely contributing to the economy of the country. It contributes to the national income, exports, food and nutritional security and in employment generation. Among the 7 continents of the earth, Asia is the world’s largest continent with 4.2 billion people or constituting 60 % of the world's population. Within Asia, India is second most populous country in the world with 1.21 billion people or 17.5 % of the world's population (FAO, 2010). In India 65% of the people is still dependent on agriculture as their livelihood and employment source which includes fisheries as one of its components. Fisheries also serve as the valuable and cheap source of protein of the country.

According to 2001 census India’s total population is 1,027,015,247of which 5959144 people are fishermen. In 2002, there were 38 million commercial and subsistence fishermen and fish farmers all over the world. Of this total, 74 percent are engaged in capture fisheries and 26 percent in aquaculture. The world total fishery production of 133 million tones equated to an average productivity of 3.5 tons per person. By 2006, the number of world fishers increased to 43.5 million and the total fishery production was 143.6 million tonnes with an average productivity of 3.3 tonnes per person (FAO, 2011). (International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2016) Fishery is an important sector in most of the developed and developing countries of the world from the standpoint of income and employment generation.

Fishing communities in India are not homogeneous, as they belong to different castes and have their distinct geographical, social, cultural, economic and traditional structures, depending on the coast, where they populate. According to the available estimates of the potential fishery resources of the west coast, particularly in south west coasts, Kerala possess the richest fishing grounds in the area. Kerala’s contribution to the national marine fish production is about 20% but the socioeconomic condition of the fisher folk in the state is deplorable, when compared to the general segment of population. Their livelihood patterns and such other reasons clearly show this. The reduction of fish assets is a major cause for the backwardness of fishermen. They are in

1 the clench of subsistence and also indebtedness in the regular aspect of their life. (Journal of Humanities and Social Science 2018) Fisheries sector play a major role in nutrition, employment, foreign exchange earnings and the socio- economic development of Kerala, Fishing is, first and foremost, a human activity that produces food and generates income and employment. It is a complex system that operates in an ecological context where constant interactions between biology, ecology, economics and sociology take place (FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper,2017).

Kerala is known for her ravishing beauty and hospitality nature. The potential in the tourism segment has been emphasized over the years. Lakes, rivers, ponds and lagoons supplement this argument along with the food habits especially fish as major menu. While the tourism flourishes, what is happening to the community associated with the fisheries along the costal line of Kerala? Out of 6000 km sea coast of India, Kerala has a coastal line of 589.5 km, which is about 10% of India’s cost. Kerala is one of the active maritime states in India. With its coast line about 590 km, which is around 10% of India’s coastline. Kerala rank second in marine fish production of India, around 1.24 lakh MTs in the year 2010-11 and earned the income of 2002.10 crores. Around 1.85 lakh people are directly involving the marine fishing activity and 5, 00,000 people are doing fishing contributing 21% to the total annual production. It makes a significant contribution to the national income through export of marine products. Fishing community is one of the important segments of the state’s population, as per the population census 2011, the fisher folk population in Kerala is estimated at 10.02 lakh, covering 7.71 lakh in the coastal area and 2.31 lakh in the Inland sector. Constitutes 3.1 percent of the state total. They are spread out along the coastal belt in over 222 fishing villages in 9 coastal Districts.

According to Food and Agricultural Organisation of United Nation about 38 million worldwide people are fisherman. A fisherman is basically a person who earns his livelihood by Catching and selling fish. The fisherman usually lives in an Area closer to a water body like a river, lake or canal. The life of a fisherman is very tiring and dangerous at the same time. The fisherfolk depend on allied activities like marketing/repairing nets, fish vending, processing and other fishery related activities, for their livelihoods. (Department of Fisheries) Fishermen mean the person who engaged mainly in fishing and related activities for their livelihood (Ambili C S,2008). They are very close to nature and element of great risk to life make him as superstitious

2 as he is generous and care free. The greatest asset of fishermen in Kerala is their accumulated Knowledge about the fish, fish habits, waves, currents and stars. They have a tradition of learning by doing, handed over from generation to generation. (John Kurien, 1981). Family background influences mental ability of children through pre-natal and post-natal care, intake of food, and the ability to go through a sustained educational process (Bhagawathi, 1973). in Kerala The fisheries economy has two sectors: traditional and mechanised. The traditional sector has two areas: the marine and the inland.

At present the traditional fishing sector has only a limited surplus production of fish for market. The traditional fisheries sector has been a livelihood means for many over the years. They have vast knowledge of the ocean about winds and currents based on local area of their operation. The productive relation is concerned with relation of owners and workers in fishing operations Life in the coastal village revolves around the fishing seasons (ccs research internship papers 2004). According to Thomas Kocherry in the paper “suggestion for improvement of socio- economic status of traditional fisher folk”, the traditional fisher folk are all those men, women and children who earn a livelihood by involving in harvesting, handling, processing and marketing of fish and fish products. Therefore, traditional fishermen folk include Fisherfolk are concentrated in the southern and central parts of Kerala. They belong to the Latin Catholic community and are mostly converts from the Mukkuva caste groups. The Church is the main institution around which the social organisation and the community of the Christian fisherfolk is organised. The priest is the main leader who looks after not only the religious concerns, but also the socio- economic concerns of the community (Dietrich and Nayak, 2002).Catholic fishermen are very poor, but are adventurous, aggressive and creative It is often said that the Christian fisherfolk are the ‘real’ fisherfolk of Kerala (Hapke, 2001).

Ram (1991), who has worked amongst the Mukkuva Christians of the south, traces the low status of the fisherfolk in the society to their geographical isolation and being concentrated in the coastal areas, in slum-like and crowded settlements. Fishing has been the main occupation of the people of the coastal belt from the time immemorial. The traditional fishers who had no other employment option suffered as a community they continued to lag behind others in the rest of the state in all areas of development (Bindu George, 2011, Twelfth AIMS International Conference on Management 2015). According to the Marine Fisheries Census 2010 by CMFRI (Central

Marine Fisheries Research Institute), there are 222 marine fishing villages, with the maximum number (42) in Thiruvananthapuram district. The total number of fish landing centres is 187, of which 51 belong to Thiruvananthapuram. The state has approximately 1,18,937 fishermen households, with a population of 6,10,165, and the maximum number of families live in Thiruvananthapuram (33,340), which accounts for 24% of the total fisher population. Out of Kerala's fishermen households, 98% represent traditional fishermen, and about 46% of fisher folk are active fishermen. There are 54,407 fisher folks engaged in fishing-allied activities, such as marketing (38%), manual labour (27%), and others (35%). Thiruvananthapuram has the largest number of fisher folk engaged in fishing-allied activities (39%), and the majority of those involved in the marketing of fish also belong to the district (58%).( Aneesha Ani Benedict 2017) in Thiruvananthapuram Poonthura fisheries village is spread over two wards Poonthura village is one of the major fishing villages from the south west hotspot regions of India lying between 10° 00' N and 76° 15 E respectively.

The Total fisher folk population 8871 majority of the fishermen from poonthura village go to Vizhinjam harbour and launch their craft, because even in rough seasons the harbour is safe for both launching and landing boats safely. The role of the fishing harbour may be considered as the interface between the netting of fish and its consumption (FAO. 2010) Vizhinjam is mostly the harbour area and fishermen are involved in fishing, auctioning, fish processing and marketing. at the fish-landing centre itself. It is mainly women who are involved in fish processing and marketing. In the sea rough season most beaches will be eroded, hence the fishermen from different villages go to Vizhinjam harbour and launch their craft, because even in rough seasons the harbour is safe for both launching and landing boats safely Due to the ongoing dredging for the Vizhinjam international sea port, there is a collapse of the underwater natural habitats on which the fishermen depended for their daily sustenance, and this human activity threatens the lives of marine organisms as well as fishermen( Aneesha Ani Benedict 2017).

Livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with stresses & shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities to recover from it, while not undermining the natural resource base (Chambers & Conway, 1992). For sustainable rural development and poverty elimination, different approaches had been adopted and the sustainable livelihood approach has been gradually expanded with its own core and principles for poverty focused development activities (DFID, 1999). The approach

4 basically based on the fundamental principle analysis of capital assets in the context of the external environment. Scoones (1998) addressed that a sustainable livelihood is a way of thinking about the objectives, scope and priorities for development, in order to enhance progress in poverty elimination. (Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences 2015) Kerala has a coastal length of 585 km and the state has an average width of about 60 km with one major port at Cochin and 17 non major ports. The geographical location of Kerala is very close to international shipping route. Out of seventeen minor ports in Kerala three are considered as intermediate ports based on berthing, cargo handling and storage facilities available in them. These have contributed much to the development of industry, trade, commerce and agriculture in the country, but the potential has yet to be fully tapped. The Government of Kerala has decided to develop five ports through PPP mode. These ports are Azheekal, Beypore, Ponnani, Alappuzha and Kollam and a major project of Vizhinjam International sea port is also being planned. Presently cargo operations take place only in three ports – i.e. in Vizhinjam, Beypore and Azhikkal ports. Vizhinjam handles about 1000 tonnes. Beypore 50,000 tonnes and Azhikkal about 5000 tones annually. The remaining minor ports in Kerala are now defunct due to various reasons. Recognizing the need to develop the ports in a time bound manner, Vizhinjam International Deep-Water Multipurpose Seaport is a flagship project of Government of Kerala, being developed on a landlord port model.

Vizhinjam International Deep-Water Multipurpose Seaport limited (VISL) is a special purpose government company (fully owned by Government of Kerala) that would act as a implementing agency for the development of a Greenfield port. Vizhinjam is a natural port, which is located close to the international ship route. So, it is expected that at least 50% of the (nearly 20,000) ships that pass through the Suez Canal (per annum) will anchor at Vizhinjam Port. It is expected that with the full functioning of Vizhinjam port. the ports of Colombo, Singapore and Dubai might face serious competition from India. This will boost the trade and commercial activities not only in Kerala but also to entire India. It is estimated that India could save more than a 100 million U.S. dollars per year in terms of foreign exchange. (MSME-Development Institute) Vizhinjam is a fishing port of Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam beach is 3 km by road from Vizhinjam. Vizhinjam is protected by the bay which has a protective wall at the sea edge. The sea bed is deep just beyond the edge. Deep ocean is thus much closer to shore than in the north coast. The port authority of India has recognized the importance of Vizhinjam and there are plans

5 to develop it as a full shipping port. Vizhinjam is the safest port in the far south, and boats often find refuge here when due to poor weather conditions they would be unable to reach their home landing centres. Although there is a constructed area towards the northern side of the harbour that could serve as a market, the market happens on the beach sand on the south side for Christian fishermen, while Muslim fishermen beach near the mosque on the northern side. We only discovered this distinction on our final day at a time when the Muslim market had already closed, so our report here concerns only the southern, Christian part (Quarterly Journal Of Economics2007).

Development by saying it is positive, progressive and provides upliftment to the common people, but most of the developmental activities and programs do not cater about its negative aspects, down sidedness and the outcomes created by the projects. Displacement is one such outcome of development which swept our society very rapidly. The problem of displacement and rehabilitation due to execution of development projects has been receiving constant and rehabilitation due to execution of development projects has been receiving constant attention in the recent past. A conservative estimate revealed that a population of about 160 lakhs was displaced and many more were affected indirectly due to implementation of various kinds of development projects (Hinal, 2004) The present study examines livelihood issues of coastal fisherfolk in poonthura after the initiation of vizhinjam project. The study focuses on the impact on the local fisherfolks of Poonthura, impact on their livelihood. Vizhinjam are directly or indirectly dependent on the sea for fisherman’s livelihood. In most of the families, all the members of the family are doing fishing and related works. There are such large number of fishing associated works like carrying fish from the port to the local market, shore seine workers, lobster gatherers, pitching lamp fuel to the anglers, auctioning of fish from the sea shore, marketing of fish and most of these works are done by the womenfolk.

The most pertinent aspect here is that, they are traditionally doing fishing and its associated works and they don't have the foggiest idea of any other work for their livelihood. In any case, the significant partners of the locale – the fisher people, the travel industry, and naturalists – have enrolled solid conflict with government activities and effectively dissented the undertaking reliably in the course of recent years. Notwithstanding this, the Legislature of Kerala has permitted the Adani Gathering to start chip away at Vizhinjam Port. What's more, it's this word

'development' which anticipates legislators and citizens and Indian natives from standing up and scrutinizing these sorts of choices which remain to benefit the not very many at the best. Since from the earliest starting point of our autonomy, we've been endeavouring to achieve the status of others, to achieve a condition of 'so called development'. What's more, that objective is, ambiguous and, exceptionally fanciful (Bijith Kumar Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 2019)

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Traditional fishermen folk are concentrated in the southern and central parts of Kerala. They belong to the Latin Catholic community and are mostly converts from the Mukkuva caste groups. The Church is the main institution around which the social organisation and the community of the Christian fisherfolk is organised. The priest is the main leader who looks after not only the religious concerns, but also the socio-economic concerns of the community (Dietrich and Nayak, 2002).Catholic fishermen are very poor, but are adventurous, aggressive and creative It is often said that the Christian fisherfolk are the ‘real’ fisherfolk of Kerala (Hapke, 2001). Ram (1991), who has worked amongst the Mukkuva Christians of the south, traces the low status of the fisherfolk in the society to their geographical isolation and being concentrated in the coastal areas, in slum-like and crowded settlements.

Fishing has an inevitable role in the growth of our country. Kerala is one of the most important state, conducting fishing occupation for livelihood of the fisher folks. In Kerala, Trivandrum has an inevitable part in contributing domestic income to Kerala’s economical revenue. Moreover, fishing is not only an ordinary occupation, but socially, culturally, economically and emotionally bound with fisher folks and their living surroundings and routines. Among the 222 fishing villages of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram has the maximum number of marine fishing villages (19 per cent). According to the census report released by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in 2010, there are 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram alone. As per the analysis done on nine coastal districts in Kerala, more villages are in Thiruvananthapuram district. Of the 187 sea fishing lands in the whole Kerala, 51 are in Thiruvananthapuram. There are 1, 18, 937 fishermen families in Kerala with a population of 6, 10, 165. More families are in Thiruvananthapuram district-33, 340. And its population is 1, 46, 326. Thus 24% of the population is in

Thiruvananthapuram district. On an average, there are 536 families and 2748 members in each fishing labour families in Kerala. The families below poverty line are 65, 459 (55%). 19, 377 families in Thiruvananthapuram are below poverty line. The number of traditional labourers are 32, 859.

Poonthura village is one of the major fishing villages from the South West hotspot regions of India, situated in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram district, the capital of Kerala. This study will be concentrated in Poonthura, one of the major fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram district. The coastal wards, 74 and 76, of Poonthura village are taken for the study. The village has a total of 650 houses and 8876 fisher folks. Among them 1584 are active fisher folk. Most of them depend on fishing boat(vallam)for fishing. There are some fisher folk having own boats and those who work along with boat owners. They generate only a limited amount of fish to the market. The most valuable asset of these people is the knowledge on the currents and winds in the sea and the locality-based availability of fishes The situation of these people is lamentable and they are considered as one of the most backward community. The available data from government sources reveal that the per-capita income of fishing community is less than half of the per-capita income of the state and about 79 percent of the fish workers families have an annual income of less than Rs. 6000/- they remain outliers from main stream communities and their access to common resources are severely prone to the vagaries of the sea and disasters which further worsen their vulnerability.

The Livelihood of the people in the locality heavily depends on fishing. It has been noted that many species were found extinct due to climate change. Also, they face many challenges in their working space, like high price of fishing equipment and kerosene. Use of large-scale trawling boats which have a larger catching capacity using modern techniques affects catching of fisher folk. Also, the middle man retrieve money by auctioning the fish while the fisherman have a limited income. The people who work in the sea on the boat have no access to safe and secure fishing. Such situations lead to losing job of fishermen community as well. That time they borrow money from financial agents and through gold loan. Poonthura is one of the major affected area of cyclone Ockhi One year back. After Ockhi, fishing folks are still struggling to survive Though there are issues, they have to go for fishing in order to support their families. In past, due to coastal erosion and rough sea fisherman couldn’t anchor their boats in Poonthura

8 shore during monsoon season and they had to depend Vizhnjam harbor which is calmer comparing Poonthura. But now situation has changed. At present context, not even monsoon but all the time they have to depend on Vizhinjam because of the same problem.

The fishing harbor of Vizhinjam has large number of fishing boats. This is also where the market is set up. Advantage of the market was fishermen could easily sell their fishes through bargaining here. This particular market is also now in danger due to the attack of sea. However, environmental groups, activists, representatives from the fishing communities as well as scientists have warned of the severe negative environmental damage that the international port will cause to the region, besides having a negative impact on the livelihoods of a large number of fisherfolk who live in the villages close to the site [ Down To Earth]. Development by saying it is positive, progressive and provides upliftment to the common people. But most of the developmental activities and programs do not cater about its negative aspects, down sidedness and the outcomes created by the projects. Displacement is one such outcome of development which swept our society very rapidly. The problem of displacement and rehabilitation due to execution of development projects has been receiving constant attention in the recent past. A conservative estimate revealed that a population of about 160 lakhs was displaced and many more were affected indirectly due to implementation of various kinds of development projects (Hinal, 2004).

The Vizhinjam International Transshipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is an ambitious project taken up by Government of Kerala. It is designed primarily to cater container transshipment besides multi-purpose and break-bulk cargo. The port is being currently developed in landlord model with a Public Private Partnership component on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (“DBFOT”) basis. The private partner, the Concessionaire M/s Adani Vizhinjam Port Private limited has commenced the construction on 5 the December 2015. As per the Concession construction of port is scheduled to be completed on 4 th December 2019. Though the Concession Agreement envisages a construction period of 4 years GoK and Concessionaire has set an ambitious target of 1000 days to make the port commercially operational the construction of the water breaks for upcoming Vizhinjam international multipurpose container terminal is major head ache for fish harbor here according to the poonthura villagers. The Vizhinjam area is more accessible to fishing because of wide varieties

9 of the fishes from there. Now it changed because of the dredging. They were depending on Vizhinjam harbor for fishing, but now the situation is changed and the fishermen are not able to depend on the Vizhinjam harbor due to construction of Vizhinjam port according to the people of the locality. This study concentrates on the after effects of initiation of Vizhinjam harbor, access to fishing areas and anchoring of fishing boats in harbor which has a small market near to this sea shore and how does all these affect the life of people at Poonthura fisherfolk

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport declared ambitious project of Kerala it had also shattered surrounded poonthura fisherman village while project reached midst way the poonthura facing a severe coastal erosion due to giant break water built for the project is completed so most of the poonthura fisherman depend on vizhinjam fishing harbour for docking their boat This fishing harbour situated near to the port’s venture territory. 26, august 2019, in Madhyamam weekly’s exclusive investigation on impact of port and they found that intense damages have happened to Vizhinjam harbour due to dredging. Like when a pit is dug, the water takes in the surrounding soil to the pit. The sand from within the harbour is eroding. Only a single line is possible now in the coast where boats were docked in two lines. Many of the electric posts in the coasts have slanted. A sand bank is formed in the entrance between two breakwaters. Due to which the boats started capsizing. The engines worth lakhs of rupees of four or five boats were ruined. Fortunately, no one lost their life. The water waded even in to the harbour shed. Earlier, the harbour was an unaffected place. It was calm in all climates. People from all areas of Thiruvananthapuram used to set their boats to sea from here during monsoon. But now, when the big waves start hitting, the fishermen are afraid of their boats capsizing. Thus the study aims to explore and raise the direct and indirect impact of sea port on Poonthura fisherfolk.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LTERATURE

Review of literature is the base for deciding the research problems selecting objectives and formulating hypothesis it can never be undertaken in isolation of the work that has already been done on the problem which is directly related to a study proposed by a researcher whenever we think about fisher folk communities and coastal areas a number of research studies have been collected from different sources the present study will be focus on the following areas

 Fisher folk

 Livelihood issues of Fisherfolk

 Income disorganization and occupational uncertainty of fisherfolk

 Challenges faced by fisherfolk

While studying on livelihood issues of coastal fishermen in Poonthura after the initiation of vizhinjam seaport project some previous works will be reviewed by the researcher some of such related review of literature is describe below

Fisher folk

P S Swathi Lekshmi and Dinesh Babu,(2009) made a study on Indigenous Technical Knowledge and ancient proverbs of the coastal fisher folk of Kerala and their implications they attempts to study the Indigenous Technical Knowledge of the fisher folk of fishing villages, Maruvakkad andMallipuram belonging to Chellanam and Elankunnapuzha Panchayats, respectively of Palluruthy and Vypeen Block, Ernakulam. The Traditional knowledge and proverbs pertaining to the fishing community of these villages were collected and the scientific rationale for the same was studied. They find out Indigenous Technical Knowledge provides a deep insight in to the experiences and wisdom of the local people accumulated over generations. Indigenous Knowledge helps to unravel the causes and reasons for occurrence of a natural phenomenon relating to the biological activity in sea.

Ramees Rahman M and Meera Bai (2019) made a study on Portraying a Vulnerable Fishing Village – A Case Study of Elamkunnapuzha Fishing Village; Kerala. They find out the state of Kerala is having the marginalization hiccup in the case of fishermen community. The fishermen of Kerala are marginalized far way behind with comparatively lower level of literacy rate and educational attainment which limits them with minimal alternative livelihood options. Along with these, climatic changes also affect the sector a lot and make the fishermen’s life more vulnerable. This study examines the effect of climate change over the fishermen families of the Elamkunnapuzha fishing village in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The district possesses around 10% of the fishing villages and 8% of the fishermen families of the state. Elamkunnapuzha village is one of the major fishing villages from the South West hotspot regions of India. the study has its own relevance as a basis to develop proper adaptation mitigation strategies for the fisher folks. This study Among the fishing community who can give better and accurate information. about the fishing activity, economic dependence etc. the study found out gender equity prevailing in the community and about 98 per cent of the respondents opined that there are women in leadership roles in the community the study examined the socio-economic profile of the fisherfolks in the Elamkunnapuzha fishing village of Ernakulam district, Kerala.

Sara John and Nimmish Sany (2019) made a study on Economic Empowerment of Kerala’s Fishermen: Need for Change in the Role of Matsyafed in this study they elucidate Kerala boasts of its much-touted Model of Development with rapid progress in socio-economic conditions, yet the fishermen community of the state is not able to make a tantamount progress in social and economic development .The poverty, due to the continuum of debts and exploitation among fishermen, pulled them back from the mainstream society. Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd. known as Matsyafed was established when fishing cooperatives, which were formed to provide financial and technical aid for fishermen, failed to meet their objectives. Matsyafed was expected to bring about surpassing change in the existing scenario and continues its operation as the apex body of cooperatives, which got revamped under its aegis.But, the extent to which Matsyafed is successful in meeting its objective is questionable. Economic Empowerment of Kerala’s Fishermen: Need for Change in the Role of Matsyafed k. v. basavakumar, s. devendrappa and s. t. srenivas (2011) conducted a study on profile of fishing

12 community of a village in Karnataka they find that socio-economic status of the fisherman community of a village in Dharwad district was conducted during 2007. The study revealed that the male population constituted around 52.33 percent indicating the dominance of males in the fisheries sector. Amongst the total fishermen’s only 13.84 percent were found to be literate. 45.78 percent of the population fall under the age group of less than 20 years and the total earning population constituted around 56.60 percent. The dominance of male population was evident in all the categories giving an indication that fishing and related activities are the domain of males. On further examination, it was found that smoking, betel nut chewing and consumption of liquor were the common habits of adult fisherman community. As the major occupation was fishing, majority of the population were engaged in fishing activity and 56.14 percent were under the income group of ` < 30,000. The study indicated that the general socio-economic status of the fisherman community could be improved by the adoption of improved fishing and fish farming methods and by imparting education.

K. Pushpangadan and G. Murugan (2000) made a study on gender bias in a marginalised community: a study of fisherfolk in coastal Kerala they discuss There is no evidence to support the hypothesis that gender bias is slowly emerging in Kerala since age specific sex ratio from 1991 census is comparable with that of Japan at least among the population below the age of fifteen. Causes of the gender bias have been examined within the framework of bargaining models. Pure bargaining models are based only on personal interest reflected in utilities which are very difficult to measure; if measured are very subjective and ambiguous. Therefore, objective measures based on Sen's capability approach have been estimated. All four estimated capabilities - morbidity, longevity, nutrition and education- show that 27females have lower well-being. The unequal well-being is then examined in the light of certain variables relating to conceptions of desert and legitimacy in the informational base of household arrangements. Analysis clearly shows that all the three responses -breakdown well-being position, perceived interest and perceived contribution - act in the same direction lowering the bargaining power of females in the existing social arrangement. Household endowments seem to affect the gender inequality since higher income households do have a better female- male ratio.

Dheeraj Kumar, Ruchi Mehta, Rakhi Yadav, Shivam Kumar and Manoranjan Kumar conduct a study on fisheries status and socio-economic conditions of fisher community in Dholi region,

Muzaffarpur, Bihar, this paper mainly aims to focus socio-economic conditions of fisher family of Dholi village. The study clearly shows that the condition of fisher family of Dholi village is not good. Regarding educational condition, boys are significantly higher in number than girls. However, women come forward through reservation under the road map of Animal & Fish Resource Department, Bihar that allows women to nominate for fishery election. In particular area committees are formed by Sahani people, known as Matshay Jeevi Committee which is also registered under Animal & Fish Resource Department, Bihar. The housing conditions of fisher families are not too bad. In terms of fishing, Sahani community as well as Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe get subsidy up to 90% and other OBC get up to 50% of subsidy from state government. These all benefits reached to fisher family through Matshay Jeevi Committee with the survey under Animal & Fish Resource Department, Bihar. Training programs are also arranged for fishermen inside as well as outside of the Bihar state. With the implementation of these programs, they should learn the modern technologies and develop fishing.

Sabu, M. & Shaijumon, C.S. (2014) made a study on Socio-economic impact of information and communication technology: A case study of Kerala marine fisheries sector. They find out that Technology and technological change are the two major ingredient factors for economic growth and development. This research paper looks into the role of ICT in the fisheries sector of Kerala and absorptive capacity of the fisherfolk in Kerala to make knowledge base fisherfolk. With the help of GPS, Sonar, Fish remote sensing, Wireless set, Computer, Mobile phone, fishermen can make a significant impact on productivity, cost efficiency, safety and security The study is conducted in two coastal villages; Munambam in Eranakulam and Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram. All the fishermen got benefited by the Information and Communication Technology with improvement in productivity and income. The diffusion of new knowledge and proper training are major hurdles for the use of Information Communication and Space technologies in an appropriate way.

Veena Priya Sand K. Sreeranganadhan(2015) made a study on Influence of Social and Economic Problems on the Educational Development of Fishermen Community in Kerala they find out that The introduction of technology and the effect of globalization have alienated the poor, illiterate and, unskilled from the fisheries sector. . While the modern society has progressed into the digital age, the fishing community is still striving to tackle basic literacy. It is a fact that the

14 traditional artisans are under threat of expulsion from this sector and even the current basic education would be insufficient for their future survival. Education is a key aspect of human development with important benefits for people’s livelihoods and capabilities, influencing their ability to access information and resources and to manage change. This growth was made possible through high awareness on parents and children’s and remedial measures taken by the state.

Andi Cahaya conducted a study on the Fishermen Community in the Coastal Area: A Note from Indonesian Poor Family in the year 2015 and he found that Bone marine areas are affected by two monsoon seasons i.e. rainy and dry season. In the rainy season, the wind blows from the northwest or called the west wind. This is the title for the great wind season for fishermen in their annual calendar. This season did little to dissuade mariners at sea, for fear of the safety factor because sea, it was all done in order to avoid life-threatening ocean waves. West monsoon usually occurs in December through the month of March or until the month of June. In the summer time the wind blows from the west toward the west-northwest with a relative high speed and this season it rains, though bad weather conditions because of the demand to meet the needs of the family then there is still a desperate fishermen fishing communities Bone although only around the edges of the water and maximum around 20 miles away from the coast, while the dry season (eastern season) wind blowing from the southeast. The dry season occurs from about May to September and has a dry characteristic and relatively the wind is not too fast. Between the rainy season and the dry season there is a transition season that occurred in April, October and November with the air temperature varied, and usually in a fishing community known as the dry season , this condition is quite vulnerable to the lives of fishermen that result in the resistance on the lives of fishermen in whole.

Wiwik Widyo Widjajanti, Antariksa, Amin Setyo Leksono, and A. Tutut Subadyo (2018) conducted a study on Socio-Cultural Studies to Open Space in Fisherman Settlement in Prigi, Trenggalek, East Java they describe that. Fishermen are mostly classified into low income or low socioeconomic. The poverty of the fisherman community is sourced from the weakness of human potential and the lack of environmental support in empowering the natural and available potential resources. the research is to identify and analyse the cultural characteristics of the community in the fishing village, as the basis for the open space settlement. With open space

15 compliance, this can improve the quality of the environment and the living standards of fishermen families on the coast. The research method used is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research with phenomenology approach, research area in coastal South Coast of East Java, and it involved fishermen of Prigi beach in Trenggalek. The research was conducted by identifying and studying the cultural aspects of the fisherman community in the coastal areas. It is expected that the results of this study can provide a discourse on government policy on the implementation of open space procurement, taking into account the culture of fishing communities.

Monalisha Chakraborty made a study on Socio-Economic Conditions of Fisherman of Bali Nolia Sahi, Puri, Orissa in this study she find out Orissa is a maritime state along the east coast of India having 589 marine fishing villages and 3289 inland fishing villages. The Telugu community with their age-old experience started marine fishing in Orissa. Still now the non-Oriya group of people dominate marine fishing in the state. This paper mainly aims to show the socio-economic condition of the fisherman of Bali Nolia Sahi village, Puri. The study shows that the socio- economic conditions of the fisherman of Bali Nolia Sahi are not good. The educational status of the boys is much lower than that of the girls. Their housing conditions are not too bad, but in terms of fishing they don’t get much help from the Government. They lack the basic necessities of their fishing which deprived the development of fishing in the State. The fishermen should be provided with major facilities like cold storage, motorized boat and education programs too should be implemented so that it would help them in understanding the modern technologies of fishing and will help them to develop fishing.

Livelihood issues of Fisherfolk

Dhanuraj (2004) made an attempt to study traditional fishermen folk and their livelihood Issues in Kerala. He finds that the lack of fishing activities along the coastal line since the fish wealth there being over exploited. This compels the fishermen to go for the deep-sea fishing. Kerala – June to August – is a nightmare to the traditional fishermen who, mostly live on the coastal shore Almost all the years, the sea would wash away their possessions and thus driving them to relief camps. The Government’s attitude has been lethargic for many years in this regard. The trade unions and fishermen do not have the sophisticated and technically advanced equipment to tackle

16 the emerging situations many times. The accidents often occur during the rough seasons hence the availability of the manpower only does not solve the crisis. Support is often sought from the Southern Naval Command, Kochi for the rescue operations. Here, the request has to come from the concerned authority and by the time, it would not do any good for the missing fishermen they also find that Fluctuating “price” mechanism prevailing everywhere. The middlemen decide the price of the fish once the fishermen land up after a heavy toll in the sea. The middle men also exploit the fisherman. Sometimes the conflicts between the trawler crews and the fishermen grew in intensity over the time. Many incidents are reported on the fighting between traditional fishermen vs trawling boats. Through this study he gives the solutions Kerosene and Diesel assistance to fisheries sector, t enhances and maintain employment Opportunities within fishing communities.

Nicholas Anthony Owen Hill (2015) made a study on Livelihoods in an artisanal fishing community and the effect of ecotourism This study combines quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the role of marine resources in the livelihoods of the local communities in order to better understand the consequences of ecotourism development for marine resource use and conservation. The analysis is conducted within a livelihoods framework. The results indicate that fishing forms part of a diversified livelihood strategy for the majority of households. Marine resources serve a variety of functions within these livelihood strategies, from an important source of nutrition, sources of cash for subsistence, buffering roles, and balancing intrahousehold inequalities through to providing a social function and opportunities for extra cash. The resource with the most open access, the octopus fishery, is the most pressured and forms an important last resort for the most vulnerable households. Employment by ecotourism does appear to lead to some level of economic substitution at the household level, but the extent to which this is sufficiently widespread to provide a significant conservation benefit is questionable. Economic substitution may not entirely replace marine resource use of the households concerned given its complementarity with other activities and importance as a source of nutrition. It does not appear to have led to poverty alleviation, but this may be a short-run response whilst salaries are invested in the means to generate alternative sources of income. To maximise the potential benefit of economic substitution to poverty alleviation and conservation, structured links between the ecotourism operation and the community must be increased, designed to improve

17 the multiplier effect of foreign investment and spending and open up more alternative sources of income to community members.

Mridula Rani Das,Sunuram Ray ,Uttam Kumar, Salma Begum4and Satya Ranjan Tarafdar (2015) made a study on livelihood assessment of the fishermen community in the south west region of Bangladesh they discuss that the livelihood status of fishermen community in Batiaghata upazila of Khulna district from February to December, 2013. The data were collected through the questionnaire, survey, group discussion and public interview. The results of the study revealed some interesting facts and showed that most of involved fishermen are in 16-30 years age group (45%) whereas majority of them were Hindu (62%). About 75% of fishing community was illiterate and 24% was literate. Furthermore, it was reported that about 78% of the fishermen received treatment from Village doctors ( have little medical knowledge, mostly quack) and only 20% of the respondents concern the doctors from upazila health complex and left over 2% got health service from MBBS doctors outside the upazila. It was found that 61% house were Kacha (Made of mud and straw) while 37% house were Semi-pucca (Tin shed building) and only 2% house were pucca. (Bricks Built house) About 23% of fishermen had ability to access electricity and others 77% had no access to electricity. No Vulnerable Group Feeding cards were provided by government for them in those areas. Lack of proper knowledge, illiteracy not as much of governmental support was the major constraints The socio-economic condition of the fishermen in the adjacent area was not satisfactory. The fishermen were deprived of many facilities. The education level of the fishermen was so poor. Lack of awareness as well as the poor income, the fishermen have to take loan from Mohajan at high interest. So why, some educational institutes should be built up in the adjacent area. The Govt. should take some important step by providing some sorts of management policy as well as providing of some extra providence during the ban season of the fishing. That may be done within the providing of the VGF card. Some forms of NGO’s activity must be ensured in the adjacent area for the improvement of the life leading status of the fishermen. The NGO’s must be helpful about the providence of the loan which may be used for the up gradation of the income procedure. As well as health facilities should be ensured by the government assistance.

Dr. S. Premjith and Saisree K.G(2018)elucidate on the Weak Supportive System and Livelihood Status among Fisherfolk in Poovar Fish Landing Centre, Kerala they find out that :

The study was conducted to assess the livelihood status of fisherfolk in Poovar Fish Landing Centre of Kerala. Data were collected and examined through the use of well-structured interview schedule from the Poovar fishermen community. A total of 103 house heads were interviewed. Most of the fishermen belonged to the age group 15-30 years. Fishing and marketing were the major sources of income for the sample population. During some season, when the sea becomes very rough, the fisher folk are forced to remain idle and live under conditions of severe poverty.. Generally, traditional fishermen are forced to take up different types of income generating activities during non fishing period. But in this study area, most of the fishermen were not interested to engage other income generating activities or job. Therefore the families are forced to fully depend upon fishing and fish sale. During some season, when the sea becomes very rough, the fish workers are forced to remain idle and live under conditions of severe poverty.majority of the fishermen have no boats and fishing gears and they are working as labourers to meet the both ends. The poor livelihood status, improper occupational structure and poor institutional support prevailing among fisherfolk should be improved. Socio economic constraints such as illiteracy, family pressure, low economic status and unemployment are the major problems faced by the Poovar fishermen community. Most of them are illiterate and belong below poverty line and are struggling to survive with health, nutrition, and other day to day problems and they are not ready to engage themselves in any other income generating activities. Most of the respondents have land holdings of below two cents, so they could not engage themselves in any small scale agriculture or related activities during bad season. Majority (99%) of the fishermen are alcoholic, 92% are smokers and 93% are tambakk chewers. During the bad season of fishing, few fishermen still try going to fishing centres in other districts for group mechanised fishing, inorder to carry out occupation of their interest.

Jisha John (2014) made a study on Technological Changes in Marine Fishing and Livelihood Threats of Fisher Folk she finds that the study attempts to examine the problems holistically by linking various issues relating to technology, economic, social and ecological aspects. Literature of the study was reviewed theoretically and empirically which help to lay a sound base and also to know the previous areas of related works and their methodology. The major technological developments and their diffusion transformed the fisheries sector of many third world nations. Bilateral and multilateral agencies have been instrumental in promoting fisheries development which resulted in the adoption of capital-intensive fishing technology. In India before

19 independence, fishing was an entirely artisanal occupation with, little intervention from the outside world. The modern technological change that occurred in India was with the inception of the five-year plans. Mechanisation became rampant in the fisheries sector of Kerala. The lucrative profits by mechanised sector led the traditional sector into abject misery. This resulted in motorisation and outboard motor boats were introduced which gave a new face to the traditional fishing sector. A comparison of actual and estimated optimal marine fishing fleet showed excess capacity in India and also in Kerala. Recent advances in gear and engine technology helped the fishers. The technology like Global Positioning System provided fishermen with equipment to reach the potential fishing ground accurately.

Even though these technological changes increased fishing capacity it resulted in overfishing, catching of juveniles and damage to ecosystem thus questioning the sustainability of the sector. The work culture, income and marketing details give a disturbing picture of economics of fishing and the livelihood activities carried out by fishers. The trend analysis is done to check whether there is compatibility with the perceptions and the data regarding landings. The perceptions regarding selected species across regions lead to concern unsustainability of marine fisheries. The findings reveal that the benefits given by the government are not received in the grass root level and they are not satisfied with the present level of institutional set up. On this context they are asked whether the living standard is low when compared to the main stream class and they unanimously have the opinion that the standard is low. Also, the researcher identified thirteen related variables, which are supposed to measure the low standard of living and by conducting factor analysis the important factors related to threats were identified. The new factors identified are work to earn, environmental factors, financial requirement, marketing difficulties and administrative problems. Using these measurements, further analysis was done to determine the possible directions of variation among the three regions of Kerala and the result shows that there exists region wise variation in these determinants.

Swathi, R (2018) made an attempt to study Vulnerability of Coastal Areas and Livelihood Challenges of Fisher Communities: A case study in Kerala is considered as one of the leading states in terms of growth of marine fisheries over the years. At the same time, the coastal areas in the state have been facing serious environmental challenges caused by development of coastal regions on the one hand and the climate change induced threats on the other. About 30 to70 Km

20 of Kerala shore is area under discussion to coastal erosion of a range of magnitudes. The process of coastal erosion increased with human activities such as urbanization, building of dams, expansion of harbors etc. Hence, the coastal state has been facing serious issues and challenges in terms of declining fish stock along with various climate change related problems impacting the livelihoods of the coastal communities. This paper examines some of the important challenges afflicting the coastal communities in Kerala in the larger context of the depletion in the stock of fisheries resources alongside the threats emanating from climate change induced impacts. The paper suggests the importance of protecting the marine resources and the environment in order to sustain the economic and social well-being of the marine communities, besides protecting the fishery resources from the point of view of maintaining inter-generational equity in the access to the use of fishery resources. The climate change induced problems affecting the coastal regions of Kerala need to be addressed through undertaking various infrastructure development programmes for preventing coastal erosion, regulating high tides, mangrove restoration programmes, solid waste management programmes, etc. In the light of the declining/ depleting fishery resource stock, alternative livelihood opportunities need to be provided to the vulnerable groups, especially, women, who are affected most by the changing climate scenario, having a serious dent on the livelihoods of the communities. Fisheries sector if protected well is an ideal asset and sustainable source of income and livelihoods to any country in the world. Except for the natural calamities that are happening in sea, all the other threats could be eradicated if correct policies and rules are followed.

Shanmugarajah Srikanthan (2013)made a study on Impact of Climate Change on the Fishermen’s Livelihood Development: a case study of village in Coromandel Coast he explain that the impact of climate change on fishermen livelihood development. Climate change is defined as a change in the statistical properties of the climate system in particular region when considered over long periods of time, regardless of cause. However it is classified into two categories namely predictable and unpredictable climate change based on the discussion with village dwellers. In this paper, those climate change or weather condition that may occur in coming times could be predicated in advance is defined as predictable climate changes for example cyclone and those climate change or weather condition could not be predictable in advance is defined as unpredictable climate changes for example changing water current. This

21 study focuses on the impact of unpredictable climate change on the fishermen livelihood development. It has gained a few attentions from the social science researches. The data for this study were collected through informant case studies from fishing village of Pommaiyar Palaiyam located in Coromandel Coast, Tamil Nadu, India during the intensive fieldwork period of doctoral research, and the qualitative approaches are used for analyzing the data. The finding of this study explores the correlation between the unpredictable climate change and multidimensional paradigm of poverty of the proposed study village as follows: (1) the climate change of the village from the last two years, (2) the impact of unpredictable climate change on fishermen livelihood development activities: occupation uncertainty, income disorganization, damages, loss of fishing equipments and psycho-social problems, and (3) the suggestions and recommendations from this issue. This study analysed their social problem especially multidimensional poverty with the concept of vicious circle which is a key factor for their prolonged poverty and psycho-social problem which is a barrier for livelihood development activities uplifting of this village and suggests that the measures to be taken to reduce the present scenario of the people.

Shyam S. Salim, R. Narayanakumar R. Remya P. K. Safeena M. Ramees Rahman and Harsha Elizabeth James(2018) analysed vulnerability of fishery-based livelihoods to climate variability and change using a combination of composite indices and qualitative methods. Our findings suggest that different components of vulnerability affect livelihoods in varied ways. The most important climate-related elements of exposure are ‘personal exposure’and ‘shore line change’ in Elamkunnapuzha whereas in Poonthura ‘environmental changes’ contribute to greater exposure value. In both the locations, the key factors determining sensitivity of an individual household are the indicators related to ‘social dependence’ and ‘historical and cultural dependence on fishing’. The factors influencing adaptive capacity were identified as ‘Flexibility options’ and ‘Adaptation options’ in Elamkunapuzha and ‘Social capital’ in Poonthura. Thus, it could be inferred from the study that since exposure and sensitivity are governed by the environment, the overall vulnerability could be reduced only by increasing the adaptive capacity of the population. The study has visibly brought out the major areas where thrust is required, to reduce exposure and sensitivity and increase adaptive capacity of the study areas. The results of the study can be utilised by policy makers to frame and enact better policies and management measures. It also provides an important base for directing future research into the vulnerability of fishery based

22 livelihood systems to climate change. Further work is needed in order to move towards an enhanced characterisation of vulnerability and to identify most suitable means for households and communities to cope with and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Thus, findings of this research, it draw that efforts to reduce livelihood vulnerability in coastal fishing communities should be multidimensional in nature so as to simultaneously tackle exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The study advocates the need for a bottom up approach in developing location specific plans to ensure the livelihood of the fishers and the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the climate change regime with the proactive participation of the fishers.

Mridula Rani Das, Sunuram Ray, Uttam Kumar, Salma Begum and Satya Ranjan Tarafdar(2015) made a study on livelihood assessment of the fishermen community in the south west region of Bangladesh This study was undertaken to update the livelihood status of fishermen community in Batiaghata upazila of Khulna district from February to December, 2013. The data were collected through the questionnaire, survey, group discussion and public interview. The results of the study revealed some interesting facts and showed that most of involved fishermen are in 16- 30 years age group (45%) whereas majority of them were Hindu (62%). About 75% of fishing community was illiterate and 24% was literate. Furthermore, it was reported that about 78% of the fishermen received treatment from Village doctors ( have little medical knowledge, mostly quack) and only 20% of the respondents concern the doctors from upazila health complex and left over 2% got health service from MBBS doctors outside the upazila. It was found that 61% house were Kacha (Made of mud and straw) while 37% house were Semi-pucca (Tin shed building) and only 2% house were pucca. (Bricks Built house) About 23% of fishermen had ability to access electricity and others 77% had no access to electricity. No Vulnerable Group Feeding cards were provided by government for them in those areas. Lack of proper knowledge, illiteracy not as much of governmental support was the major constraints. The socio-economic condition of the fishermen in the adjacent area was not satisfactory. The fishermen were deprived of many facilities. The education level of the fishermen was so poor. Lack of awareness as well as the poor income, the fishermen have to take loan from Mohajan at high interest. So why, some educational institutes should be built up in the adjacent area. The Govt. should take some important step by providing some sorts of management policy as well as providing of some extra providence during the ban season of the fishing. That may be done within the providing of the VGF card. Some forms of NGO’s activity must be ensured in the adjacent area for the

23 improvement of the life leading status of the fishermen. The NGO’s must be helpful about the providence of the loan which may be used for the up gradation of the income procedure. As well as health facilities should be ensured by the government assistance.

Income disorganization and occupational uncertainty of Fisherfolk

R. Mahesh made a study on poverty, inequality and natural resource degradation: an investigation into the small-scale fishery sector of south Kerala he finds that from interaction with local community during the course of household survey, it was learnt that there were significant differences in fishing income among the small-scale fishermen in the village. One obvious reason was the difference in the fishing technology used. The two main types of fishing technologies used were the catamaran propelled by human power and plywood crafts using outboard engines. But even among the fishermen operating same type of equipment, there was wide difference in catch value. In order to understand the variation in catch value a fishery production function was developed. The fishery production function combines both biology and technology.

Shiba Shankar Giri (2018) made an attempt to study Small-scale Fisheries in South Asia he find out The growth in the global supply of fish for human consumption in the past five decades has doubled (3.2%) than that of population growth (1.11%), resulting in increasing average per capita availability of fish beyond 20 kg (FAO, 2016). With annual 171 million tonnes (mt) fish production fisheries and aquaculture became the potential contributors to food and nutrition security and livelihoods at global level (FAO, 2018). Fish accounts for about 17% of the global population’s intake of animal protein (FAO, 2016) and in some South Asian countries the figure is as high as 72%. Almost 90% of the global fish production takes place in Asia and the South Asian countries mainly India and Bangladesh, respectively ranked 2nd and 5th in fish production in the world.

Challenges and safety of Fisherfolk

(New Indian Express 11th January 2020 )Offshore breakwater at Poonthura for protection from sea erosion The Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) has started the pilot project to protect the coast at Poonthura from sea erosion. The Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) has started the pilot project to protect the coast at

Poonthura from sea erosion. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), which is offering technical support to the project, is conducting a technical survey to study the coast from Poonthura to Shanghumugham. “The survey will be completed in a week. We have also invited a tender to install offshore breakwater at Poonthura.” said an engineer of KSCADC. The offshore breakwater is coming up 120 metres away from Poonthura coast. There will be five small breakwaters of 100 metres in length lined up at a depth of 6 metres in the sea. The entire span of the breakwaters is 700 metres. They are made of geo composite tubes filled with sand. It is expected to weaken the waves before it hits the coast. The weakening of waves would help in sand formation at the coast and would in turn help fishermen to beach their boats. The intense waves have forced fishermen to move their boats to Vizhinjam port area. Based on a model study, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board has approved `17.80 crore for the pilot project.

N.M. Shareef of the Geological Survey of India also warns about this. In an article published in the Current Science magazine, he writes, “Any structure built right on the beach prevents beach accretion and not the beach erosion. Man’s alteration of the shorelines especially by construction on the beaches will create unnatural water currents. They have an adverse effect on beaches undergoing retreat, but the effect is more pronounced on beaches undergoing long time rapid shoreline retreat. As the beach continues to erode, the sea wall may also block natural replenishment of sand from dunes or cliffs behind the wall. “Double whammy Besides being ineffective in coast protection, these man-made structures have also taken a toll on the hills. There are hundreds of quarries in the mountains of Western Ghats today and continuous digging and mining for stones to build sea walls etc. have weakened the fragile hills. This has resulted in an increasing number of landslides. Kerala saw maximum number of landslides this year since the onset of monsoon and the situation turned grave during the recent floods.The Kerala government is now exploring the use of geo-synthetic tube technology to make offshore breakwater at Poonthura. Under the technique large geo-synthetic tubes are placed deep under the seawater to break the energy of waves. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has already experimented with this technique at Kadalur (Chennai) on the east coast. “If successful in Poonthura, this method will be used in Shunkumugham beach area also,” says minister J. Mercy Kutty Amma. However, the effectiveness of this method is still debatable.

Global review of safety at sea in the fisheries sector, by Adriana Oliva Remolà and Ari Gudmundsson. (2018) FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1153. Rome, Italy. They attempt study the Safety at sea relates to the ability of a vessel to return to port —or more usually its island or village—at the completion of a voyage or trip. It is not a new concept, as even well- designed vessels can suffer an accident at sea. This document is a global review of safety at sea in the fisheries sector, with a particular focus on the small-scale fisheries sector in developing countries. Among other relevant safety issues, it considers existing legislation, fisheries management measures and data recording. Although it is well known that fishing at sea is probably the most dangerous occupation in the world, safety at sea is an issue that is not sufficiently appreciated, as can be concluded from the present Global Review of Safety at Sea. In this review, several interrelated components such as sea safety legislation, design, construction and equipment of vessels, in addition to SAR facilities and insurance schemes, have been studied for each country. The main causes of accidents include meteorological conditions, mechanical failures, design and construction, fishing regulations and human behavior. In the small-scale fisheries sector,:are needed, alongside training fishers to cope with hazardous situations. The last important element relating to safety at sea is the impact from fisheries management measures. The concept of safety at sea and its importance must be introduced to the corresponding authorities. Some FAO material (FAO, 2015; FAO, 2016; FAO, 2010) could be used as a reference for this purpose. In general, it is necessary to emphasize that fishery agencies, naval architects and boatbuilders have a duty to ensure the safety of fishing vessels. Safety at sea still has a long way to go and this document hopes to shed some light on the current situation and possible future action which may improve it.

Arpita Sharma and Sethulakshmi C.S.(2018) made a study on Assessment of Occupational Hazards and Usage of Sea Safety Devices by Fishers of Kerala, India they discuss Traditional fishers had low knowledge regarding most of the SSD’s. Fishers with motorized boats had good knowledge about SSDs but the usage was less. Reasons were lack of training/awareness programmes, price of SSDs and lack of space in vessels. Most of the fishers suffered with occupational hazards such as injuries, man overboard, collision, capsizing, burning, grounding and mishaps. Study highlights fishers knowledge, usage and attitude towards SSDs and documents occupational hazards. Most of the fishers suffered with occupational hazards such as injuries, man overboard, collision, capsizing, burning, grounding and mishaps. However,

26 traditional fishers reported more occupational hazards. Major injuries while fishing Hooking yourself, Fishhook in the eye, Fish bites, Infections, Vengeful fish Slipping off the dock, Stings and bites, Cuts, Injuries from equipment, Slipping and falling, Overuse injuries Capsizing (keeling over) is when a boat or vessel is turned on its side or it is upside down. The act of reversing a capsized vessel is called righting., Poor stability, Heavy loads, Rough sea, storm heavy rain types of occupational hazards; Vessel hazards Sinking, Grounding, Fire & Burning Missing, Collision, Injuries, Capsizing, Death, Man over board, Individual hazards

Marianne Törner (2000) University of Gothenburg made a study on the topic of Occupational injury in Swedish fishery. Part 2: Promoting implementation of safety measures Although fishery is a highly dangerous occupation, as reflected in accident statistics, preventive measures for improving safety on board the vessels are often neglected. The purpose of the present study was to develop, implement and evaluate a program for promoting implementation of safety measures in fishery. The safety program was based on a cost-benefit analysis including the following units: a) analysis of serious accidents in Swedish fishery during 1983-1995, b) cost analysis, specified for different types of accidents, c) inventory of safety measures including costs and accessibility, d) visits to 101 vessels with presentation of data acquired in a-c, followed by a participatory safety inspection of each vessel, and e) a six-month follow-up of the 101 visits and safety inspections. The average yearly rate of serious accident was 12 per 1000 fishermen. Economic consequences of different types of accidents in fishery were considerable for the victim, and under certain circumstances also for the rest of the crew. The safety inspections revealed 1427 safety or ergonomics deficiencies on board the 101 vessels (range 3-22 per vessel). The six- month follow-up showed that 80% of the crews had attended to one or more of the deficiencies identified at the safety inspections. Fifty-nine of the in all 160 safety measures taken constituted acquiring, or taking up the use of safety glasses or hearing protection. Apart from these, the measures taken were spread over most categories of risk factors. It is concluded that safety promoting methods based upon participation and expert support are cost effective.

Janaki Srinivasan and Jenna Burrell Publication ICTD '13: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development Full Papers - Volume 1 Revisiting the fishers of Kerala, India Pages 56–66 In this paper, they study that has become canonical in ICTD, economist Robert Jensen's study of mobile phone use

27 in fishing markets in north Kerala. Jensen found that the use of mobile phones to share market price information made fish markets more efficient while also improving producer and consumer welfare. Based on our own ethnographic case study in the region, our goal is to understand the geographic and political-economic conditions in which Jensen's findings hold and to examine questions of generalizability. We show that what makes the fish trade in north Kerala a special case is, in part, due to its coastal geography and prevalent credit relationships that provided fishers the flexibility to optimize profits by selling at different markets. However, we also found that those working in various roles in Kerala's fishing industry emphasized more broadly the use of phones in maintaining trade relations, facilitating coordination, and protecting themselves during times of risk, vulnerability, or emergency. We suggest that parsimonious models, such as Jensen's, can generate blind spots, which are problematic when such studies are used to draw broader conclusions about policy and technology design.

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

TITLE OF THE STUDY:

Livelihood Issues Of Coastal Fisherfolk In Poonthura After The Intiation Of Vizhinjam Project.

This study is confined to the fishing village namely, Poonthura. It aims to describe the impact of Vizhinjam sea port on the livelihood conditions of the fishermen of Poonthura. A pre-tested interview schedule was used for the primary data collection, from the fishermen who were involved in fishing permanently and partially. The datas were collected randomly from 60 fishermen of Poonthura. Secondary data was collected from various books, reports, journals, bulletins, research reports and organizations.

OBJECTIVES

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

➢ To know livelihood issues of coastal fisherfolk in Poonthura after the initiation of Vizhinjam seaport project

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

➢ Content analysis of newspapers periodicals studies regarding the impact of vizhinjam sea port project on coastal life

➢ To understand the occupational uncertainty faced by fisherfolk after the initiation of Vizhinjam sea port project

➢To understand the income instability faced by fisherfolk after the initiation of the Vizhinjam sea port project

➢ To understand the current situation of fishing harbour and fish vending market due to the initiation of Vizhinjam port

VARIABLES

Livelihood issues of fisher folk, age, working pattern, occupational challenges, income

CONCEPTUALIZATION

The conceptual frame work has been derived from the conceptual understanding that has been developed from review of literature

DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS

1. THEORETICAL DEFINITION

➢ Livelihood: A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and social resources) and activities required for a means of living. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stress and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural base (Chamber and Conway, 1991).

2. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

➢ Livelihood: Livelihood is means to enable people to access the resource and space to work for accomplishing their basic needs like food health etc.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This study, on the livelihood issues of fishermen was conducted using Cross-Sectional Design. The population of this study comprises of different categories of fishermen like those who have own fishing boat and other who are only laborers. The sample was selected keeping this aspect in mind. A pilot study was conducted initially to access the feasibility of the study.

UNIVERSE AND UNIT OF THE STUDY

UNIVERSE

Fisher folk of Poonthura village

UNIT

One of the fishermen of Poonthura

SOURCES OF DATA

1. Primary data: Primary data is collected through the field visit by the researcher itself using an interview schedule

2. Secondary data: Secondary data comprises of information from Documents, books, reports of surveys and studies, literature pertaining to the Vizhinjam sea port and it’s after effects and other relevant publication.

TOOL OF DATA COLLECTION

The researcher interviews the respondents in the selected area to collect the data using an Interview schedule.

Interview Schedule: An Interview Schedule is a list containing a set of structured questions that have been prepared, to serve as a tool for collecting the data. Here the researcher intends to collect the data from the respondents using an interview schedule prepared by the researcher.

SAMPLING

Simple random sampling is the sampling method used by the researcher in this research. It provides accurate representation of the population under study. The researcher used this sampling to cull a smaller sample size from a larger population and make generalizations about the larger group. A sampling size of 60 is selected by the researcher with the sampling frame from the fisheries statistics. Since the population founds to be of heterogenous, in nature the researcher adopted Cross Sectional Design to carry out the study.

PRETEST

Before data collection the researcher tested the Interview Schedule in order to identify any problems such as unclear wording or the questions taking too long to administer.

FIELD WORK

After conducting pretest, researcher entered into the actual field. The study was conducted in Poonthura selected 60 fishermen.

CHAPTERIZATION

The chapterization of the research dissertation is as follows:

Chapter I- Deal with the introduction, it consists of introduction to the various concepts related to the study and it also gives a brief introduction of the problem to be addressed in the study.

Chapter II- Deals with the review of literature carried out, during the course of study. It analyses the previous studies conducted by various researchers including the global, Indian and regional studies.

Chapter III- concerned with the research methodology part of the study. It includes all the aspects of the research. It includes title of the study, research design, sampling design, methods of data collection and tools of data collection, and chapterization.

Chapter IV- Concerned with Data Analysis and Interpretation. The analysis was done using SPSS.

Chapter V- Highlights the findings and suggestions made by the researcher. The conclusion is also included in this.

The researcher has added the Bibliography and appendix towards the end of the study. Appendix includes the tool used for data collection.

CHAPTER 1V

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

INTRODUCTION

The data was collected based on the livelihood issue faced by the fisherman because of the initiation of Vizhinjam port. The fishing spot of fisherman is adjacent to Vizhinjam port and the construction of the port made their livelihood difficult. The generated data was encompassed main information regarding livelihood of fishermen and his working condition is vulgar because of delay the harbour for fishing activities. In addition, survey was also conducted to get information regarding the how port affect the fisherman working space. The primary data were collected directly from the respondents by visiting their location a number of times to get necessary relevant information like their occupation, income, mainly livelihood issue etc. with the help of precise and pre-tested interview schedule. There is a need of scientific study an analytical interpretation. Hence the core of the study is presented and analysed in this chapter. Quantitative data analysis is the process in which we move from the raw data that have been collected as part of the research study and use it to provide explanations, understanding and interpretation of the phenomena, people and situation about which the researcher studied. The researcher conducted this survey in, Poonthura fishing villages the affected area of sea port with the help of an interview schedule. Sixty fishermen were interviewed and it was reported that the livelihood condition of fishermen using the indicators like age distribution marital status, boat ownership, occupation challenges, monthly income and income instability. These livelihood issues are studied and detailed analysis is made on these parameters and presented in this section. The data collection was targeted mainly from the male head of the households of the fishing community who can give better and accurate information. Moreover, the questions about the fishing activity, economic dependence occupational uncertainty etc can only be answered by the male member of the family.

The following were the specific objectives on which the analysis is built.

➢ Content analysis of newspapers periodicals studies regarding the impact of vizhinjam sea port project on coastal life

➢ To understand the occupational uncertainty faced by fisherfolk after the initiation of vizhinjam sea port project

➢To understand the income instability faced by fisherfolk after the initiation of the vizhinjam sea port project

➢ To understand the current situation of fishing harbour and fish vending market due to the initiation of vizhinjam port

The analysis was done by the specific objectives order itself. Take each objective and give the regarding variable and the statistical data was presented by using the graphs and pie charts. Each graphical representation was analysed in detail and examined in view of the specific objective.

Objective 1: Content Analysis

➢ Content analysis of newspapers periodicals studies regarding the impact of vizhinjam sea port project on coastal life.

Content analysis is a research tool that systematically investigate data from a set of texts, which can be written, oral, or visual:

 Books, newspapers and magazines

 Speeches and interviews

 Web content and social media posts

 Photographs and films

(The Hindu, JUNE 10, 2019) Boats make a beeline for Vizhinjam The men, some 25 of them, quickly fall into position as the mini pick-up swings down a slope, reverses and brakes, its tail- end facing the harbour. With practised ease, they begin the process of unloading the unwieldy cargo — a mid-sized fibreglass fishing boat — down to the sandy strip bordering the water.At 12 noon Sunday, three more pick-up vans are in queue at the Vizhinjam fisheries harbour with similar loads. “During the next three, three-and-a-half months, we will operate our boats from here,” explained Siluvaiyyan, 31, from Pulluvila, a fishing village 8.5 km south of Vizhinjam.

Traditional craft

The 52-day trawl ban which came into effect on Sunday midnight has little impact on Vizhinjam as only small, traditional fishing craft operate here. But with the sea turning choppy with the onset of the southwest monsoon, Vizhinjam with its breakwater-protected harbour is seen as a haven for fishing boats — one reason why fishermen from nearby fishing villages have already started making a beeline for this spot with their vessels. We do this every year. Back home, we can neither beach the boats safely nor take them out for fishing because the sea is extremely rough at this time of the year,” said Siluvaiyyan, who has been engaged in kadalpani, literally sea work, for the past 18 years. From Monday onwards, Siluvaiyyan and his companions will begin commuting between Pulluvila and Vizhinjam to take their boats out.

Overcrowded

But this annual tradition is also mounting pressure on Vizhinjam, according to organisations in the fisheries sector. “During these months, fishing is possible only from Vizhinjam. But the harbour is already overcrowded with the number of boats increasing every year. Yet, there has been no corresponding infrastructure development the “Waste disposal, for example, is a big problem here. Having to accommodate more boats during the monsoon also means an increase in pollution,”. Taking boat to Vizhinjam for the rainy season did not automatically guarantee a good catch, this year the catch is bound to be low. That is usually the case when the monsoon gets delayed

(Deccan Chronicle. Rakesh Nair published June 1, 2018) Greens red flag Vizhinjam port

The fishermen have been left with lesser space to berth vessels as the Vizhinjam fishing port and its surroundings have been facing the menace of sea erosion this week. The new Vizhinjam International Seaport was at the receiving end as environmental activists blame it on the groyne field constructed for the project. The fishermen claim that high waves from North are reverted by the groyne field into the fishing harbour located on the Northern-end inundating beaches. “If this is going to be the case, in two-three years, there won't be any fishing harbour here. This will result in loss of livelihood. The sand eroded from Vizhinjam will be accumulated at the mouth of the harbour. Then frequent dredging would be needed," said Robert Panipilla, Chief Coordinator of the NGO Friends for Marine Life. Over the last few years, independent marine researchers

35 have alleged that the harbour will result in the destruction of shores as far as Anchuthengu. They estimate that 20,000 people, mostly fishermen will be affected by the port project. "In past decades the shoreline as far as Poonthura was affected by the Vizhinjam Fishing harbour. The ill- effects will be much more once the new seaport will become reality. Only one-fifth of reclamation as a part of the new port has come up." Mr Panipilla added. As per the plans, the upcoming Vizhinjam port would handle cargo of up to 2.26 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) by 2022.

Soumya Bhowmick and Pratnashree Basu (November 23, 2019) article from The Diplomat magazine (Is India’s Vizhinjam Port Plan Worth It? The plan for a Deepwater port in Kerala has sparked sharp divisions over its benefits and costs.)

This article investigated main risk factors related to the initiation of vizhinjam port. The ambitious project of Kerala is a public and private partnership.it schedule to complete by Dec. 2019 but delay has been attributes to the damages caused by 2017 ockhi cyclone and substantial shortage of stone. the writers are mention the economic benefit but also recognise the project have some controversy and concerns related to environment it considerable impact on loverhood of the coastal population. the construction of the breakwater system enhances coastal erosion and also result very high waves. they projected a report regarding this coastal erosion by coastal regulation (RI) notification of 2011 according this report construction of the port is not permissible in coastal areas prone to high erosion. The construction effects the livelihood of fisherman and the fish catch reduce due to the maritime traffic associated risks. also indicate the green activists concern about the breeding ground for mussels and lobster the dredging affects the sea and increase turbidity of the water

Rejimon (2017) Kerala's $65 billion Vizhinjam port: Fishermen, environmentalists rue loss of job, ecology, from the firstpost online news media

This news report discusses the construction of activities of vizhinjam sea port is making the fisherman of Poonthura, disappointed and agitated the fishing is more difficult because of the depletion of fish they already losing their livelihood because of severe coastal erosion that happening in Poonthura shoreline ,fishermen the activists of Poonthura filed a case against vizhinjam port in supreme court also they pointed that the government give compensation who

36 affected from this project, the green activist are says that the marine life is affected because of the port construction

K.A. Shaji (19 august 2019) publish article on MONGBAY-INDIA environmental news site with the title of “is the Deepwater sea project in Kerala an environmental and livelihood threat’’

The author says that the sea port create a rapid coastal erosion in trivandrum coastal areas it also thread of shanghumukham beach and domestic airport. The big tides are hittimg sea walls and continuing to devote the large tracts of beach in fishing village like valyathura, Bheeemapally and other north side of vizhinjam port area. Around 603 people from 143 families are shifted to relief camp. these are all recent phenomenon that stared occurring over since the construction of the vizhinjam port. The dredging affected marine life because of fish depletion. the fishermen are going to switch their job. This investigation indicates the national centre for sustainable coastal management was found that coastal live in Trivandrum district was more prone to erosion than coastal live in other districts of Kerala the fisheries scientist like KV Thomas says that the an ecologically sensitive area known as wadge bank where abundant varieties of fish breed. The port affects the area and marine life. Though it is very late, what the region requires is an expert study on how to protect lives and livelihood of the fisherfolk in villages in and around Vizhinjam, which has a long history of beach erosion. Now, with the construction of the breakwater reef the situation seems to be getting out of control. The first breakwater reefs in Kerala came up here in 1970 when the fishing harbour was built. Erosion is affecting the sand movement in the ecosystem. The beaches most eroded are on the northern side of Vizhinjam, areas that include Panathura and Poonthura, while there is sand accretion in the villages on the southern side,” says Thomas. During monsoons, sand and sediments move from the south to the north. Breakwater reefs obstruct this natural movement, and as a result, sand and sediments tend to stay on the southern side of the structure, resulting in accretion in the south and erosion in the north. According to Sheeba Patrik, Valiyathura ward councillor in Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation, beach erosion begins in Vizhinjam every year with the onset of the southwest monsoon. Last year, as a result of erosion, the concrete building of the National Centre of Earth Science Studies collapsed and the Valiyathura pier was damaged. “Three rows of houses have been lost in sea erosion here in the last four years. There was a time when local children played

37 football on the beach. Now the whole area has been swallowed by the sea,” said Vipin Das Thottathil of the Coastal Students Cultural Forum. Officials at Adani Group, when questioned by Mongabay-India in person and over the phone, preferred not to talk about the apprehensions of the local community. The minister’s office said efforts were on to constitute an expert committee to look into the fears and anxieties of the coastal community. A livelihood impact assessment committee is in place with the district collector as its chairman, it has however, failed to address the core concerns of the local community so far.It was in August 2015 that the Kerala government and the Adani Group signed an agreement on developing the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport Project. The agreement courted controversy after the Comptroller and Auditor General, in May 2017, released a highly critical report questioning the project’s viability and the manner in which it had been awarded to the Adani group. A three- member judicial commission, headed by retired Kerala High Court judge C.N. Ramachandran Nair, was formed to probe into the allegations raised by many people against the project. The commission is expected to give its report in a couple of months from now. In the meanwhile, construction works were initiated following clearance from National Green Tribunal. This study found that the seaport is more threat to the livelihood of coastal life

The News Minute is a digital news platform reported a news on the Breakwater construction on Vizhinjam port has caused high tides: Kerala Fisheries Min on JUNE 26, 2019

The news report that the vizhinjam sea port construction forced to shift the fishermen to relief camps every year, has been raising the issue of coastal erosion for a while. dredging for Vizhinjam International Seaport has caused coastal erosion. in this issue Kerala Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma reflect that the construction of breakwaters for the port indeed has repercussions. The breakwater construction as part of the project would come to around 3000 meters of which more than this600 meters has been completed. But even that has caused huge tides,” This is the first time that the minister has publicly admitted also the minister said. The local people of the coastal village of Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram have been raising the argument for a while as coastal erosion has become an annual phenomenon that in turn results in their displacement. the minister made the statement at a seminar on coastal erosion- Reasons and Solutions,

TA Ameerudheen(2017) A new port in Kerala sparks fears of sea erosion in coastal villages, from an online news portal- scroll.in

The news reported about the destruction of homes during the monsoon has left residents anxious. Adjacent to vizhinjam port like valiyathura is facing the severe problem that the sea walls are collapsed by high tide. the fisherfolk of valiathura is not longer protect their houses from sea water. Poonthura and bheemapally also damaged.the residents of these fishing village say that the erosion accelerated after the initiation of vizhinjam sea port project

Rihan Najib (2020) The eroding shorelines of Thiruvananthapuram, business-line Hindu newspaper

This article on Thiruvananthapuram’s Shanghumugham Beach is shrinking by the day, as the sea is continually pressed inland by a combination of climate-related and man-made causes the recent disturbances in the sea to the Vizhinjam International Seaport, which is currently under construction. The port is located about 18km further south from Shanghumugham beach. Ever since the harbour came up, the waves have become rougher. Because of the breakwater in the harbour, the waves have nowhere to go and are hitting us harder. The manmade disaster is coastal erosion. Destroy a tourist place of Trivandrum

Alphonsa Joseph, Dr. Bushra Beegom R.K(August. 2017) IOSR Journal of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 22, Issue 8, Ver. I the study on the topic of Discourse On Development, Displacement and Livelihood Impact on Fisherwomen at International Deepwater Multipurpose Sea Port

The goal of this thesis was to identify Displacement and Livelihood Impact on Fisherwomen at International Deepwater Multipurpose Sea Port

The paper analyses the developmental project at Vizhinjam and its consequences among the native people who inhabited in the project site and the society as a whole. Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Port (VIDMSP) Project is an attempt to bring development in the economy of the state as well as to the people who are directly involved in fishing and related activities. Along with the development, there arise some pertinent issues which are deliberated in the paper like displacement, loss of livelihood and rehabilitation

39 packages to the project affected people. This paper attempts to formulate a framework with the paradigmatic tribulations arising out of this development project. The paper also elucidates the gender dimension in development, displacement and rehabilitation process, the triangle which enlighten the issues of the subordinated gender with the backdrop of social and economic development in the globalized era. The study among women in particular have concerns regarding the construction of the port. They have opined that “before the starting of the works, we have freedom to go to the sea shore and selling fish in the market. But now we cannot go to the areas in which the construction is going on. That was our major area of local fish selling market. This has to be changed after the commencement of the port and the women cannot go to the old harbour and selling fish there. The people have different opinions regarding the employment options of fishing community there. Some people opined that; the women cannot go for selling fish in the market after the opening of the new port. But some have of the opinion that, the Government of Kerala and Adani Ports Company will be providing facilities for them to sell fish in the market itself. The women are not clear about their future of livelihood as “we did not sure about whether we can go for employment or not. But the real thing is that, the Adani Ports Company and the Government of Kerala did not say anything related to the fishermen people here. They did not disclose anything now. So we are confused about the project. We will know something only after the functioning of the port”. They are also concerned about the displacement from their land and house. The displaced families are given a rehabilitation package with 5 cent land and cash compensation for their houses. But even then they asserted that, “If the fishermen families are displaced to distant areas from here, they have difficulty to come here for fishing. Even if the authorities give land and cash for house, we have difficulty to go for work”. They added that “authorities didn’t say anything related to our employment and fishing, our functioning of the old harbor or any issues related to the fishermen community. All these are some assumptions of the people. We actually do not know, whether it will be true or not. They keep all the things in their mind. Before the starting of the work they said that, they will not acquire any land from the fishing community and say ‘we do not have to construct port by displacing you from your land. We will expropriate land from the sea itself’. Now they are saying that, they need land from the people because taking construction area from sea is a huge loss for them”. Another anxiety of the women who are living near the construction site is that, the dredging and piling works in the construction site is caused damage to the nearby houses.

The walls of the houses are having scratches and it is shaking sometimes. The unbearable sound of the machines caused disturbance to the old age people and the women who are in the house most of the day. The complaints to the authorities got interesting reply as “what can we do for that?” This situation is leading them to a grave problem of ‘displacement by themselves’ from the corners of the construction site.

Reporter Jisha Elizabeth, Senior Sub-editor/ correspondent, Madhyamam, Thiruvananthapuram Unit Original report published in Malayalam language on 26, August 2019, in Madhyamam Weekly as EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION

Jisha Elizabeth, a journalist at Madhyamam, visited the area to investigate the environmental problems in the Vizhinjam Port region and the resultant disasters traditional mussel collectors are facing. The reefs beneath the steep rocky outcroppings of the Thiruvananthapuram coast store immense marine resources, earning this area the distinction as Kerala’s marine wealth repository. But these reefs have now been covered with sand for construction of berths for the Vizhinjam International Deep-sea Port Project. The adjacent Vizhinjam Harbour is on the verge of destruction due to dredging. Extensive excavation of the Western Ghats will / happen soon for the breakwater. And once the port is complete, the fishing harbour will be no more. With destruction on such a grand scale, researchers say a great tragedy lies in wait for the coastline and the state as a whole Vizhinjam is located 18 km (10 nautical miles) from the Malacca Strait, the world’s busiest international shipping corridor. Within a nautical mile from the Vizhinjam coast, the sea here reaches a depth of 22 meters. But currently, 40% of India’s cargo ships transit through Colombo port in Sri Lanka. A 2013 report prepared for VISL by multinational engineering rm AECOM estimated that if Vizhinjam port is realized, it will bring big prots to the country in the form of taxes and customs duties. Due to the nature of the land and rock groups in Vizhinjam, the area is also landslide-proof, which negates the need for permanent dredging. That makes Vizhinjam an ideal location for a port. On the up side, say those who have researched the area’s marine ecology, port construction is causing permanent damage to the sea ecosystem, marine life and the livelihoods of the surrounding fishing community. / The port will eventually occupy a total land area of 142.46 hectares. Of that, 53 hectares have been acquired by filling the sea in with sand. The government of Kerala acquired 86.29 hectares of land from the coast at a cost of 548 crore rupees and handed it over to VISL for further land-based construction. In July,

41 it acquired an additional 4.28 hectares. In addition, 36 hectares of sea has been filled, about 750m in length, to accommodate the port’s 800mlong wharf or jetty. Dredging for the sea lane began on Nov. 25, 2015, and continues today, pausing briefy only for a few months in November 2017 due to Cyclone Ockhi. Yet India’s National Biodiversity Action plan for 2019 prepared by the central government refers to dredging as one of the causes of destruction of ocean ecosystems. Dredging at Vizhinjam Harbour has already led to erosion, causing a sand bank to form in the entrance between two breakwaters. As a result, boats entering the harbour have started capsizing. Moreover, a bi-annual compliance report on conditions laid out in the environmental and CRZ clearance said that only 40% of the required filling has taken place along the coast, meaning large-scale dredging is still needed. The sand acquired through dredging is used for land filling the while Adani will be running 21 quarries to acquire the rock for the breakwaters, according to the Kerala government. Fishermen are also concerned about the damage that awaits a 12,000 square kilometre wedge bank, which contributes signicantly to the country’s harvest. Just 40 km off the Vizhinjam coast, it plays a vital role in offering shelter to the bio-treasure of India’s southwest coast. Liquid discharge from ships set to arrive at Vizhinjam could damage this important ecosystem, according to fishermen. Mulloor, where the rest phase of port construction took place, is already a ghost-land. Once there was a sea there, with an abundant ocean ecosystem, expansive rock ranges and rare creatures. Today, everything is lled up, leaving not even a trace of the former ecosystem. An environmental impact assessment prepared for the port project by L&T – Ramboll Consulting Engineers Limited has recorded that the loss of biodiversity in Mulloor is unrecoverable. A study published in the Indian Journal of Geomarine Science in April 2013 recorded 147 marine species in the Vizhinjam region. It is also a place where endangered species like Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs. But the call for conservation has fallen on deaf ears. Co-author Dr. A. Bijukumar, head of the Aquatic and Fisheries Department at Kerala University, says that the port is being built on the best mussel bed. The problems will mount when the port is completed, he says, Mussels are obtained from places like Kovalam, Vizhinjam, Karimbillikkara, ValiyaKadappuram, Mulloor, Pulinkudi, Aazhimala and Chovvara. The spread of rock groups in this belt is ideal for mussel growth. Vizhinjam is the region where the best mussels in the state are obtained Dr. Bijukumar attests. In the past, 4-5 mussel collectors would go in a boat and together they could collect 40- 50 kgs of mussels in a day, earing Rs1,000-2,000 with lobster catches added on as bonuses.

Now, they say they’re only able to collect 4-5 kgs. Fishers blame the port project for destroying the mussel habitat and subsequently the livelihoods of the people in the area. In its 2018 report, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, a government agency that publishes annual reports with data on fish and mussel catch, attributed the destruction of the mussel habitat to Cyclone Ockhi. As of 2018, there were around 400 traditional mussel collectors in Vizhinjam Harbor, more than 350 in Mulloor and another 100 in Kovalam, according to local fishers. They estimate that around 200 mussel collectors, small-scale vendors and other fishermen have been compensated by the government under a scheme aimed at compensating them for the loss of livelihood / stemming from port construction. Compensation has ranged from Rs10,000 to Rs200,000, but many fishers say they don’t have official documentation that would make them eligible for the compensation. The majority of fishers this reporter spoke to said they have stopped mussel collection and are now working as painting or construction labourers. “Only if the dredging stops, the sea will become calm,” says V Sudhikumar of Muttakkad Kovalam. “Conch, mussels, etc. stuck to the rocks gets swamped in the mud upon which they are not able to survive. If the dust becomes dense like this, they will die in large numbers. When they die a group of mussel collectors and their families become destitute.” At rst, mussel collectors were offered 25 lakh rupees (Rs2,500,000) as compensation. But only half the amount was given as single-term compensation. Fishermen of the Vizhinjam area say they are not included in the compensation package. The package includes amenities, such as a park for their children, roads and toilets. Many elderly fisher women said were not given compensation as they did not have enough documents to prove their identity as labourers. / According to the latest environmental compliance report prepared by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited for the government of Kerala and published in late November, 271 mussel collectors had received compensation. It said that 12.65 crore rupees was distributed to compensate for the loss of work. Those documents also state that mussel collectors are promised cage-fishing facilities as an alternate livelihood generator during the retribution. From March 2016 to date, Rs83.11 crores have been disbursed to a total of 2,621 people indented as having their livelihoods affected by the port construction (including mussel collectors), according to the environmental compliance report. Friends of Marine Life chief coordinator Robert Panippilla says that those officers who prepare the rehabilitation package do not know about the sea, which is not like compensating people for acquiring farmland. He says that if a paddy farmer is compensated for his farm area, he can buy

43 another piece of land for farming. But mussel collectors can collect mussels only from the sea. Even if they get some money as compensation, they can’t continue their mussel collection somewhere else. In the environmental impact assessment, VISL said that after the port was constructed mussel beds would grow in the breakwaters and fishers would be able to cultivate them. It estimates that mussels would return seven years / after port construction is completed and be ready for harvesting. The 2013 study by Biju Kumar and R. Ravinesh, however, found it took much longer for the ecosystem to regenerate. The study – conducted 40 years after Vizhinjam Harbor was built – found 128 species of mussels living among the rocks in the sea and only 73 on the port breakwater, or seawall. That means only half of the species had returned after 40 years. Dr K V Thomas from the Centre for Earth System Studies says that a new coastal protection law and a new environmental impact assessment are needed. Sea walls and breakwaters increase the intensity of sea turbulence, he said. The government should understand that a sand beach is the most effective guard of the coast. He suggested that articial coastal sand dunes be crafted and organic plant fences grown. Articial ecosystems of 3-4 m should also be made, he said, noting the need for coast-friendly protection projects. Even if those measures are taken, however, the shermen of Mullor and their families may not benet, having been made to vacate the coast for the port’s development. As part of the package under which fishers received compensation for having to relocate to allow for port construction, the / Karnataka, India 05 March 2020 | Supriya Vohra Kerala, India 11 February 2020 | Navamy Sudhish Karnataka, India 19 February 2020 | Supriya Vohra government stipulated that they would be required to hand over their shing equipment to VISL for a public auction. But many say they feel cheated. “The government underpaid for our equipment,” said Mulloor native Manoharan. “We had no other ways than surrendering all our equipment because this is a dream project of the Kerala government, and all the Keralites believed that this port will bring development to the state. But we are suffering.” Many people who have taken their cases to the livelihood appeal committee have been rejected so some of them have led a petition with the high court in Kerala for a better compensation package and a speedy delivery of that sum. That case is ongoing

George Joseph (July 25, 2013), Vizhinjam port to impact fishing, damage beaches, says study, from Business Standard news

A Comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study on the proposed Rs 5,100-crore Vizhinjam international seaport near Thiruvananthapuram pointed out that there would be a permanent loss to the beaches and fishing grounds at Mulloor area, near the site, once the port is operational. The report prepared by Hyderabad-based L&T- Ramboll Consulting Engineers Ltd, said any restriction to fishing activities in the marine areas up to 1.5 km from the shorelines of Nellikunnu and Mulloor areas would affect the livelihood of local fishermen. The national report will be placed before the Union Ministry of Environment on July 29 for clearance. The project will be developed in three phases, and is expected to be commissioned by 2016. There has been a growing concern among the fishing communities in the area fearing loss of livelihood due to the project. Direct fish landing on these beaches will also not be possible during the construction of Phase-I of the transshipment terminal project, according to the report. The study said increase in turbidity during construction would reduce the availability of fishing resources, which may lead to a drop in the sea catch. The project had proposed a modern fishing harbour in order to mitigate issues relating to the local fishermen. The harbour, which will be one of longest in the country, is expected to have double the capacity of the existing one. Loss of public beaches in Nellikkunnu and Mulloor areas would affect the tourism business badly, particularly the resort owners, the report pointed out. However, the study proposes to compensate the resort-owners appropriately. The report proposes to construct a new breakwater channel to improve tranquillity across the new and old fishing harbours in order to reduce siltation. It is expected that the new harbour will enhance opportunities for a better livelihood for the fishermen as facilities for fish drying will be advantageous to the local people. A seafood park has also been proposed as a part of the project. It suggested that mussel collectors in the area should be compensated adequately as they may lose employment. To improve tourism in the project area, in Phase-I of the project, a cruise terminal has been proposed helping increase tourism arrivals into the state and the country. According to the study, the tourism sector of the southern districts of Kerala would be netted through the exclusive cruise terminal. Improved tourism infrastructure will enhance opportunities of the Thiruvananthapuram - Kochi Tuticorin tourist circuit that includes Kanyakumari also.

Jisha Elizabeth / February 25, 2019-Vizhinjam- The land moulding coastal refugees, Madhyamam English magazine

She report The anxieties of the environmentalists and fishing labourers about the Vizhinjam project are proving real each day. With the progress in the construction activities of the port, the news from the area is not good. The situation is that, by the time the ‘prestige' project of the government is realized, a people and their land will be eroded by the sea. A report through the Vizhinjam International multipurpose deepwater seaport project range the construction of the berths of the Vizhinjam project started on Jun 1, 2017 in Karimballikkara, Mulloor. But within months of starting the project, more than 50 boats wrecked by hitting on the seawalls. Northampton University Professor and member of fishermen family, Johnson Jament says, Vizhinjam is a ‘sham’ project of political corruption and financial irregularities C N Ramachandran Nair Commission which was investigating the irregularitiesin the Vizhinjam deal, about the project as negatively impacting the sea resources in the area. The ecosystem of the coast has been destroyed and variations have been noted in the behaviour of waves of the area. Now each year, the coast is expanding in Adimalathura, Poovar and Pozhiyur areas whereas on the other hand, Valiyathura and Shangumugham coasts are being eroded the number of fishermen who have to live like refugees in their own homeland is increasing. The refugees of other places receive at least the sympathy of the public. But for us, it took the Kerala floods to consider the fishermen as our cohabitants. The impact of the deeds of the people over the land affects the coastal residents. They have become a group of people who could only desperately watch the foundations of their houses getting washed away by the waves. It is high time we declared our solidarity with their lament.

GOUTAM (NOVEMBER 2017) THE RESEARCH COLLECTIVE (PSA) THE VIZHINJAM PORT: DREAM OR DISASTER A STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE PORT

This thesis based on the One of the most crucial aspects of the project is related to the status of the coast along which the project is located and the effects that the construction will have on the local coastal geomorphology, specifically the shoreline changes. Shoreline changes of a coast are primarily determined by two current systems that operate in the sea: tidal and wave generated currents. Interplay of these currents along with the wind systems shape the natural evolution of coasts. Shorelines change seasonally by tending to accrete slowly during summer months when sediments are deposited by relatively low energy currents. Dramatic erosion occurs during

46 monsoons and winter when sediments are removed offshore by high energy storm waves. Interference in this natural cycle by construction of seawalls and other hard structures results in the shifting of the erosionary tendencies to downdrift areas the project area and its surroundings are predominantly fishing villages and as a result impact on fisheries is the biggest livelihood threat resulting from the project. he government’s own account show that virtually all (99.96%) residents in the project affected villages are involved in fishing or allied activities for their livelihood. Active fishworkers account for 73% of the population of the villages. Given the fundamental nature of fishing in these villages, to identify just 1000 fisher people as project affected is clearly a devious move on the part of the authorities to understate the socio-economic impacts of the port on the local population and push through the project for its vested interests. massive loss of livelihoods in the fishing and tourism sector will be brought about by the port and the purported gains are far outstripped by these losses. Over 50,000 fish workers in the area will be affected owing to destruction of breeding grounds, reduction in fish catch, loss of beaches, loss of access to fishing grounds and increased conflict with shipping vessels. Add to this, the absolute lack of transparency in the bidding process and the dubious contract structure, Vizhinjam can only be seen as a massive scam perpetrated on the people of Kerala for the benefit of Adani and unscrupulous politicians.

BIJITH KUMAR P K, Impact of the Vizhinjam port on the local fisher folks: A socio-legal study School of Law, Rights & Constitutional Governance Tata Institute of Social Sciences, February Month, 2019 Year

The present study examines the advantages and disadvantages of the of the Vizhinjam port. The study will mostly focus on the impact on the local fisher women folks, impact on their livelihood. The researcher tends to highlight the Domestic and international laws and regulations which are related to the area of research. The area of research is development and displacement of governmental projects. The research topic is Vizhinjam port and its impact on the local fishermen community loss of occupations in the fishing and the travel industry division will be brought about by the port and the indicated increases are far overwhelmed by these misfortunes. More than 50,000 fish labourers in the region will be influenced inferable from decimation of rearing grounds, decrease in fish get, loss of shorelines, and loss of access to fishing grounds and expanded clash with shipping vessels. Add to this, the total absence of straightforwardness in the

47 offering procedure and the questionable contract structure, Vizhinjam must be viewed as an enormous trick executed on the general population of Kerala to serve Adani and corrupt legislators. The researcher found that the construction of the port has no direct impact on the market run by the fisher women but it has indirectly looted its glory. The Vizhinjam port is a transhipment port and unlike the traditional ports, the transhipment ports take up vast stretch of coastline. Thus, the construction of the port has affected both the seashore fishers as well as the marine fishers. These seashore fishers and marine fishers are the main source of fish for the fish market run by the fisher women. The sea shore fishermen such have permanently lost their livelihood but it came to the notice of the researcher that they had been provided compensation for their loss. Thus it will be extremely beneficial if the government is able to provide some compensation or relief to the women and men fisher folks till the modern fishing harbour is constructed Moreover the port construction has proven to have a negative impact on the fisher women run market. There is a steep fall in the average income of the fisher women in the Vizhinjam fishing village. The port construction has led to the non-availability of sea shore varieties of fish and inadequate catch by the boat fishermen. Only 1 out of 13 women fisher folks is earning more than five hundred rupees on a daily average basis but ironically the very same women fisher folk used to earn more than a thousand rupees on a daily basis. Thus, the researcher concludes that there were couple of women fisher folks had been adversely affected.

M Suchitra (June 2015) (down-to-earth magazine) Perilous port, Proposed seaport in Vizhinjam can spell disaster for ﬁshers, tourism and biodiversity in Kerala

In this special report the port would be an ecological disaster. The proposed port site is just 250 metres south of the ever-busy Vizhinjam fishing harbour. This would spell doom for the booming fishing industry and the marine biodiversity of the region. Over 20,000 fisher families live in 11 villages close to the site. Fishers say they will lose their means of livelihood if the government goes ahead with the ambitious project. Marine experts warn the port would damage the ecologically fragile coastal belt of southern Kerala, hurt the marine fauna and flora, change the shoreline and erode the popular Kovalam beach north of the project site. Just like Vizhinjam, Adimalathurai, a village south of the port site, too, is an important fish landing centre. “If the port is built here, the area will come under the port authorities and fishers will be denied access to the sea. Marine scientists say that underwater rock dredging, rock removal, reclamation of sea,

48 sand mining, construction of breakwater and quay walls for the port and the resulting pollution will cause substantial damage to the coastline and the fisheries resources. “The affected coastline will most likely extend to 10 km north and south of the proposed port,” says Sanjeev Ghosh, former additional director of the department of fisheries of the Kerala government. He points out that the Wadge Bank, the main fishing ground in southern India, is just 50 km off the Vizhinjam coast. “It is a breeding ground for over 200 varieties of fish and is the largest coral reef of the Indian Ocean. The Wadge Bank is home to more than 60 species of ornamental fish and other oceanic animals. Commercially important fish such as squids, cuttle fish, carangids, tuna, anchovies and lobsters abundant there. Ghosh wrote a letter to MoEF on July 10, 2012, pointing out the ecological importance of the area. “Wadge bank is currently being considered to be classified as a Marine Protected Area. The government should take the opinion of marine experts before going ahead with the project,” he wrote. K K Appukuttan, retired scientist of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Kochi, says several endangered, threatened and protected species like Leatherback turtle, Olive Ridley turtle, black pearl oyster and dolphins have been spotted on this coast. “The construction work will cause heavy silting up leading to massive biodiversity loss. There are vested interests behind the allegations,” the report is more essential to put forward that the development effect the livelihood of people.

DEMOGRAPHIC DETAILS:

Age Distribution

FIGURE 1.1: AGE GROUP OF RESPONDENTS

Age distribution of the fishermen is important in estimating potentiality of the human resources. In the present study, age classified into six groups as up to 35, 36 to 40,41 to 45, 46 to 50,51 to 55 and 56 and above age group that presented in the figure 1. The investigation showed majority of the fishermen belongs to the 51 to 55age group (28.33%) while the 46 to 50 and up to 35aged class has been lowest involvement (11.67%) The above graph shows that most of the respondents fall in the age group of 36 to 40 that is (18.33%) and 13.33% of respondents represent the age group 41 to 45 years. And 16.67% of respondents fall under the category of 56 and above years.

Educational status:

30 Percentage of persons of Percentage 20

0 No Education High School/Less Higher Secondary Higher Studies

FIGURE 1.2: EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Figure 2 depicts the educational qualification of the respondents. Many of the fishermen were literate at high school or less such percentage was 76.67% Among the studied responded only two fishermen had passed S.S.L.C Above this level few of them had higher education while the maximum studied respondent fishermen (1.6%) were illiterate. only 20% of them had higher secondary level of education respectively. hardly a few individuals had gone up to higher studies (around 2%). The maximum number associated to the categories going for higher studies is young generation. Young generation comes forward for study.

Marital Status:

92%

Married Single

FIGURE 1.3: MARITAL STATUS

In the survey, it was found that majority of the respondents were married (92%) and few was unmarried (8%). Work Pattern:

FIGURE 1.4: WORKING PATTERN

In the study area, the fishermen using small or medium sized plywood boats. The research estimated that 52% of fishermen have own-boat and 48% of fishermen worked as a day labour in fishing boats.

OBJECTIVE 2: OCCUPATIONAL UNCERTAINTY

Challenges to fishing:

0 Sea Roughness Coastal Erosion Unclear Water Fish Depletion Loss of Equipment

Figure 2.1: The graph shows the challenges to fishing after the initiation of Vizhinjam Sea Port

In the study found that most of the fishermen were facing different types of challenges due to the construction of vizhinjam port. The challenges face by the fishermen are sea roughness, coastal erosion, unclear water, fish depletion, loss of equipment etc.

Sea Roughness:

Q11CHALLENGES Total

SEA ROUGHNESS

No Yes

Boat Owner 11 20 31 WORKINGPATTEN Labourer 23 6 29

Total 34 26 60

Tables 2.1: WORKINGPATTERN * SEA ROUGHNESS

Hypothesis or H1: Work status and demographic variables are related

Null Hypothesis or H0: Work status and demographic variables are NOT related

Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (1- sided) sided) sided)

Pearson Chi-Square 11.720a 1 .001

Continuity Correctionb 10.003 1 .002

Likelihood Ratio 12.214 1 .000

Fisher's Exact Test .001 .001

Linear-by-Linear 11.525 1 .001 Association

N of Valid Cases 60 a. 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 12.57. b. Computed only for a 2x2 table

Table 5.1 and Figure 5 give a description of the challenges face by the fishermen. 26 respondent says that sea roughness is due the initiation of vizhinjam project and its break water construction. Made huge tides into the adjacent villages.

Coastal Erosion:

Q12CHALLENGES Total COASTAL EROSION No Yes Boat Owner 9 22 31 WORKING STATUS Laborer 21 8 29 Total 30 30 60 Tables 2.2: WORKINGPATTERN * COASTAL EROSION

While more no. of Boat Owners opinion there is Coastal erosion due to the new port, laborers differ in their outlook.

Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (1- sided) sided) sided) Pearson Chi-Square 11.279a 1 .001 Continuity Correctionb 9.611 1 .002 Likelihood Ratio 11.664 1 .001 Fisher's Exact Test .002 .001 Linear-by-Linear Association 11.091 1 .001 N of Valid Cases 60 a. 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 14.50. b. Computed only for a 2x2 table The earlier difference is statistically proved by the Chi square test. Since the calculated value of p (0.001) is less than 0.05 we reject the null hypothesis and establish the connection between the variables opinion towards Coastal Erosion and Working status. This means both will differ in their opinions.

Tables 2.2 give a description of coastal erosion of Poonthura due to the construction of vizhinjam port. technically the sea erodes the coast to the north of the construction and cause the sand to collect on the stretch towards the south the north side Poonthura village cause severe coastal erosion and the fishermen can’t dock their boat and they are facing the problem after the initiation of the project. 30 respondent says that sea roughness is due the initiation of vizhinjam project.

Fish Depletion:

Q14CHALLENGES Total FISH DEPLETION No Yes Boat Owner 12 19 31 D6WORKINGPATTERN Labourer 17 12 29 Total 29 31 60

Table 2.3: WORKINGPATTERN * FISH DEPLETION

Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (1- sided) sided) sided) Pearson Chi-Square 2.379a 1 .123 Continuity Correctionb 1.648 1 .199 Likelihood Ratio 2.394 1 .122 Fisher's Exact Test .196 .099 Linear-by-Linear Association 2.339 1 .126 N of Valid Cases 60 a. 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 14.02. b. Computed only for a 2x2 table

Tables 2.3 give the description of fish scarcity because of the international sea port construction work like underwater rock dredging, rock removal, reclamation of sea, sand mining, construction of breakwater and quay walls for the port and the resulting pollution will cause fish depletion that cause the livelihood of fishermen

Loss of Equipment:

Q15CHALLENGES Total LOSS OF EQUIPMENT No Yes Boat Owner 26 5 31 D6WORKINGPATTERN Labourer 28 1 29 Total 54 6 60 Tables 2.4:WORKING PATTERN *LOSS OF EQUIPMENT

Chi-Square Tests

Value df Asymp. Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (2- Exact Sig. (1- sided) sided) sided) Pearson Chi-Square 2.677a 1 .102 Continuity Correctionb 1.453 1 .228 Likelihood Ratio 2.918 1 .088 Fisher's Exact Test .196 .113 Linear-by-Linear Association 2.632 1 .105 N of Valid Cases 60 a. 2 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 2.90. b. Computed only for a 2x2 table

Tables 2.4 give discretion of loss of equipment because of the dredging equipment or waste of dredging affect fishing net or vessel. 6 respondents are lose their equipment while fishing

Change in Fishing Space:

26% 32%

fish vessel collpased coastal erosion unclear water

42%

FIGURE 2.2: SEVERE CHANGE IN FISHING SPACE

The figure above give the description the responses regarding the severe change that occurred in the fishing space of fisherman. After the initiation of the vizhinjam port the sea water turbidity is too high and tee dredging create a unclear water and also the docking space of fisher folk is being eroded because of the construction of breakwater also fish vessels and equipment are collapsed because of sand bank created by breakwater dredging.

Variety of fishes from Vizhinjam fishing space

YES NO VARITIESOFFISH Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage MOONFISH(NAVIYAKATHY) 15 25.00 45 75.00 STINGRAY(THERACHI) 14 23.33 46 76.67 LOBSTER(VETRAL) 16 26.67 44 73.33 LIPOCHEILUSCARNOLABRUM(MULLI) 9 15.00 51 85.00 LUTJANUS(POLA) 10 16.67 50 83.33 APHAEURUSRUTILANS(CHAAMEEN) 7 11.67 53 88.33 NIGROFASCIATA(PONNARAMEEN) 9 15.00 51 85.00 TUNA(CHOORA) 12 20.00 48 80.00 INDIAN MACKEREL(AILA) 7 11.67 53 88.33 INDIAN ANCHOVY(NETHOLI) 8 13.33 52 86.67 SARDINE(CHALA) 8 13.33 52 86.67 INDIANPRAWNS(KONCHU) 11 18.33 49 81.67 Table 2.5 : Variety of fishes from Vizhinjam fishing space

The table above indicate that Vizhinjam sea area is a habitat of plenty of fishes ,mussels around 60 species of fishes are indentified by the marine scientist and also it is The Wadge Bank is home to ornamental fish and other oceanic animals.according to fisher men of poonthura Commercially important fish such as squids, cuttle fish, carangids, moonfish(naviyakathy), stingray(therachi), lobster(vetral), lipocheiluscarnolabrum(mulli), lutjanus(pola), aphaeurusrutilans(chaameen), nigrofasciata(ponnarameen), tuna(choora), indian mackerel(aila),indian anchovy(netholi).sardine(chala), and Indian prawns(konchu) are abundant.

The vizhinjam port create unpleasant working condition at the sea the fisher man know the construction activities have led to the fish migration to deeper and deeper sea The fishermen thus needs additional kerosene and oil for the motorised boats, the fisher man don’t get sufficient fish catch is low because the main fishing ground in southern India, is just 50 km off the Vizhinjam coasts destroy by the dredging, the vizhinjam port area is restricted to trespassing. there is lot of

58 fish’s nursery and ecologically rich of fish habitat The construction work will cause heavy silting up leading to massive biodiversity loss. effects of the digging works for the port on the marine biodiversity and biological system in the territory encompassing the port. Of the 33 reefs, 15 were observed to be totally crushed and 17 were vigorously harmed because of sand affidavit from digging. The Wedge Bank off the shore of Thiruvananthapuram has a rich marine biodiversity and necessities to be secured for its biological and occupation suggestions. Marine fishing requires extreme skills and the fishermen in Poonthura are well versed in the vast body of knowledge. The researcher found out that the fishermen had abundant knowledge and the seasonal variation and availability of fish, location of fish under various different conditions weather, tide, navigation and depth estimation etc but all the predictions are depending on the current in the but the construction of the break water system is blocking the sea current. fish labourers in the region will be influenced inferable from decimation of rearing grounds, decrease in fish get, loss of shorelines, and loss of access to fishing grounds and expanded clash with shipping vessels. besides the permanent loss of beaches, there will also be a loss of fishing ground in the marine area due to the breakwater, approach channel and exclusion zone. Fisher people who use the area between the existing shoreline and up to the breakwater and also the exclusion zone and approach channel are poised to lose access to their traditional fishing grounds. Reduction in fish catch is also a certain outcome of the port both during construction and operation phases. The increased turbidity of water as a result of reclamation and dredging will reduce the fish catch by destroying fish spawning and habitat sites Moreover, with the addition of shipping routes and vessel traffic, accidents involving fishing vessels and container ships are certain to increase. Breakwater reefs obstruct this natural movement, and as a result, sand and sediments tend to stay on the southern side of the structure, resulting in accretion in the south and erosion in the north make the situation of the fisherman worst they struggle to dock their boats, because of overcrowding cannot land the boats for fish vending the fisher man facing severe livelihood issue to the harbour isn’t properly work yet the harbour is only livelihood concern for the fisherman of Poonthura the harbour is damaging of the dredging when the big waves start hitting, the fishermen are afraid of their boats capsizing. A sand bank is formed in the entrance between two breakwaters. Due to which the boats started capsizing. Sometimes the fisherman cannot enter into the harbor.

OBJECTIVE 3: INCOME INSTABILITY

INCOME INSTABILITY 70

60 1 1

30 59 59 59

0 1 Q23MAININCOME Q24INCOMECHANGED Q28OTHERINCOME

YES NO

FIGURE 3.1: INCOME INSTABILITY FACED BY FISHERFOLK

Figure 3.1 show that the study area, was found that the maximum of fishermen was involved in fishing as primary income source only one-person fishing is a secondary occupation while the income is changing.

Effect of fishing ban on the income

10%2% 16%

72%

INCREASED DECREASED STAYEDTHESAME NOTSURE

FIGURE 3.2: Fishing Ban Near To Vizhinjam Sea Port affecting Income

From the above graph we can understand that, in the study area, 72% fishermen’s income decreased because of initiation of vizhinjam project 16% of the respondents are realise that income stay the same 10% people not sure about it and the 2% of them sure about increase of the income.

Monthly Income:

AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME 25

0 up to 200 201 to 400 401 to 600 601 and above

FIGURE 3.3: Average monthly income

The result clearly shows that more than 60% of people have income in between 601 and above This result shows that the people in the Poonthura were moderate condition and their only source of livelihood from fishing around 11%people get upto200 average monthly income 201 to 400 income getting to 13% of fisherman 15% of them get 400 to 600 monthly income.

Income Loss:

LOSS INCOME 30

0 Don't know up to 100 101 to 250 more than 250

Figrure 3.4: loss of income

The construction of the port has led to decrease in the income generated by the fishing community fisherman of the study area belongs to poor and underprivileged class. They cannot improve their socioeconomic condition by fishing profession as the income from fisheries sector is continuously reducing.

OBJECTIVE 4: CURRENT SITUATION

Harbor Dependency:

38%

62%

MONSOON ALLTIME

FIGURE 4.1 show the result of the present study that are majority of the Fisher people 62% from Poonthura depend on Vizhinjam all-time only 38% of fishermen depend the harbour during the monsoon.

Vizhinjam fish vending market:

30% 40% overcrowding no enough space waves hitting market

30%

Figure 4.2: Problems faced in the market

The fishermen have to catch fishes and vending in the fishing market in the harbour. They have to do fish vending also they face different types of problems during fish vending market. So, they faced different types of problems during fish vending in market. Most of them faced overcrowding and the percentage of these reached up to 40%. 30% fishermen have their concern about not much space for fish vending, 30 % faced problems of big waves hitting to market (figure 4.2).

Apart from all these the fisher folks also faces some major problems related to their safety and fishing related matters that include; space for docking, safe anchoring, sea roughness etc. By analyzing the graph below it is clear that no adequate safety measures ensured nor enough space is ensured for Docking as well. These are some of the serious issues that affect their livelihoods badly.

SPACE FOR DOCKING

SAFETY MEASURES

ROUGH AT HARBOUR

SEAROUGHNESS IN HARBOR

SAFE FOR ANCHORING

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

YES NO

Figure 4.3: Major issues in the market

Most of the Fisherman from Trivandrum depend vizhinjam small harbour during the monsoon and post-monsoon months. Especially about Poonthura fisherfolk facing several problems in harbour most of them not get a docking space for the boat in the harbour it is the docking space eroded by the sea itself and they haven’t measure for their safety also the Intense damages have happened to Vizhinjam harbour due to dredging and also the harbour is in the thread of sea roughness and also it is not the safe for anchoring oats their also it is getting harsh and the livelihood of fisherman getting worse.

CHAPTER V

FINDINDS, CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS

MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

From the study, it is been found that the contents regarding effect of Vizhinjam project including the construction of the port has an impact on the market and harbour, which is a livelihood option for the Poonthura fisher folk. Through the Vizhinjam project breakwater construction, coastal erosion is increasing in the Poonthura region that make the fisherman to migrate and depend on the fishing harbour at Vizhinjam mainly for the purpose of boat docking and for fish vending. The study also concentrates on the problems of many boat owners as they find difficult for docking their boats and so they have to find the private places for docking their boats. It leads them to depend more on Vizhinjam Harbour as it is more reliant and accessible. But the main problem is that this harbour is being damaged by the port construction and this area loses huge amount of soil and it flows to the dredging area. The break water construction creates a soil bank and so the fishermen are finding difficult to enter into harbour. And this area is being restricted from catching fish because for the past years this was a place where the fishermen were getting flocks of fish as this place was considered as a nursery of fishes also known as wedge bank. But now the wedge bank has disappeared from this area. In future after the inauguration of port, the fishermen will be a refugee because there is a chance of marine traffic and there will be situations where the boats and ships will collide each other. To conclude the construction of Vizhinjam port has seriously affected the livelihood of people and poses a threat for the future generations to pursue their career as independent fishermen.

Fishing is a hunting activity which has got a lot of risks and poses the threat of uncertainty with regard to the safety of fishermen. Construction of Vizhinjam port has added the occupational hazards and affected the livelihood of the people. It is noted that coastal erosion and extinction of fishes create apathetic condition for their livelihood. Most of the fisher folk cannot go to the sea for many days because sea seemed as rough. Their only dependence is Vizhinjam harbour, but the port construction creates an irregular situation. This situation creates uncertainty of fishing especially those who are going to work as a labourer in private owned boats. According to the data collected by the researcher, most of the fishing labourers are living below the poverty line. According to fisherfolk their income depends on the quantity of fish caught. Most boat owners

65 divide total income into two shares, one share would be allocated for the net and boat that is for the owner, and second part of share is further divided to all members who engage in fishing in the respective boats. The sharing of income depends on how many labourers are engaged in a particular boat. In this situation the daily wage fishermen cannot manage their family and their needs in comparison with the boat owners. The study also reveals that the port construction create many challenges like sea roughness as the ongoing construction causes the big waves hitting into the harbour and the people are struggling for fishing and docking boats. Damages and loss of fishing equipments is a serious problem caused by the port construction. Sometimes the fishing nets are damaged because fishermen are unable to understand the flow of sea water current. The breakwater construction of Vizhinjam has damaged the ability of prediction of water current direction. This situation makes the fishing boat owners to borrow from lenders for buying new fishing equipments. According to fishermen, the impact of the vizhinjam sea port makes such an occupational uncertainty on the fishermen’s livelihood. The fishermen know that the construction of port creates an unpleasant working condition at the sea. The dredging work of port affects the biodiversity of the fishes too. It creates fish depletion and the fishermen compel to fish in deep sea. It requires additional kerosene for their operation and the turbidity of the sea water due to dredging is too high which destroys the musscle colony of Vizhinjam fishing ground. These problems indicated by the researcher according to the local fisher folk at Poonthura, vizhijam fishing ground is rich and there are plenty of fishes like konchu,chala,netholi,iaila,choora,naimeen,chaaemeen,pola,mulli,vetral,therachi,and naviyakathi. There are varieties of fishes which are available only near to the shore. But the port has consumed the sea shore. It caused the unavailability of fish in the market for the general public. In addition to that, the catch of the marine fishers has also decreased substantially and the fishermen struggle to earn their livelihood. In short the main effect of the construction of Vizhinjam port is the occupational uncertainty caused for the fisher folk.

Sea is like a public property. Those who desire to engage in the fishing may involve but the income pattern of fishermen varies based on their equipments, co-workers and other factors. Sometimes fishermen may catch plenty of fishes, and there are times they return empty handed. The average monthly income of fisher folk is very low causing their life situation pathetic and miserable. The construction of port create a change in fish catch of the fisherman as there is change of water current and coastal erosion due to the climate change. This also affects on their

66 day to day income patterns. Irregular income is one of the impacts of dredging and port construction. That is to say instability of the income is a threat to the livelihood of fisher folk in Poonthura. Earlier during the monsoon and at other seasons the fisher folk were able to catch variety of fishes. But the advent of the port has substantially affected the availability of fishes. It caused heavy income loss especially during the monsoon. Whether fishes are caught at the surface or at the bottom the marine habitat in Vizhinjam collapsed due to construction of the port and led to the collapse of income generation of the fishermen of Poonthura. In short the only income generating activity of fisher folk at Poonthua has been collapsed substantially due to the construction of the port.

The fishermen community is vulnerable with their loss of livelihood. The fishing community is considered as marginalized and are excluded from the mainstream society. It is further impoverished with this fuzziness of their livelihood. Fishing is traditionally transferred among the people. Vizhinjam fishing harbour is a busiest fishing harbour in Trivandrum. There is facility for fish vending in the market inside the harbour. Vizhinjam transhipment seaport requires vast stretch of coastline. Thus, the construction of the port has affected the fishermen of Poonthura. They land their boat and visit the market to buy the mussels, and sell the catched fish. The market is a door way of fish to general public. But there is intense damage of the Vizhinjam harbour and the market due to the initiation of Vizhinjam port that creates a pit near to the harbour and also the sand from harbour is eroding. So the space for boat docking is insufficient. Port construction created sand bank resulting in the damage of the fishing vessels. The fishermen from Poonthura now depend only on Vizhinjam harbour because of the coastal erosion triggered by the breakwater construction. Even though the Vizhinjam harbour is functioning, it often faces the challenge of big waves which hinders the proper functioning of the market and harbour. The market is always crowd filled. Sometimes it creates clashes between the people. The marine fishes are available in very low price in the market and through auction .the harbour and the market are under threat of sea roughness due to the construction of port. According to Poonthura fisher folk, the harbour is calm in all seasons but after the construction, the presence of sea roughness is more. Particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon months the current route of their fishing path passes through the dredging and reclaimed area. It is expected that these fisher men will now have to use a longer channel that is at least 1.5 km off the shoreline to enter the harbour, thereby increasing up the fuel expenses and reducing profitability. Another aspect

67 that has rarely been discussed is the strict regulations that would be imposed on fishing activities on the port area. Fishing in an area 15 km around the port will require permission from the port authorities. This is applicable not only for marine fishing but also for water bodies inland, including lakes and backwaters. Moreover, as pointed out in the official ESIA report itself, there is the possibility that the entire active port area and approach channel would be declared as a no fishing zone for security reasons. Intense damages have happened to Vizhinjam harbour due to dredging. Like when a pit is dug, the water takes in the surrounding soil to the pit. Many of the electric posts in the coasts have slanted. The fisher folk faces many challenges even though the harbour is functioning. But unfortunately the woes and the cries of the dear folk of the sea are often unheard.

SUGGESTIONS:

On the basis of the analysis, the following suggestions are made:

. The government must provide sufficient compensation for the fisher folk in Poonthura.

.. The government should protect the marine resources and the environment in order to sustain the economic and social well-being of the marine communities.

. The government must provide fishing equipments to the fishermen who lose their fish vessels due to the construction of the Vizhinjam port.

. The government should provide fisher folk fishing harbour to Poonthutra region.

CONCLUSION:

Kerala is considered as one of the leading states in terms of growth of marine fisheries over the years. At the same time, the coastal areas in the state have been facing serious environmental challenges caused by development of coastal regions. The process of coastal erosion increased with human activities. The coastal villages have been facing serious issues and challenges in terms of declining fish stock along with various climate change related problems impacting the livelihoods of fisher folk. The Vizhinam port project has double sided effects of bringing economic development and loss of livelihood. There arise some pertinent issues for the fisher folk from Poonthura as they cannot get access to harbour sometimes. It creates huge occupational uncertainty for the fisher folk and they struggle in such circumstances. Total 60 fishermen were interviewed, belonging to the Latin Catholic Mukkuva of Christian community. They are using different types of equipments for fishing like 'Thattu madi' (boat seines), 'Kamba vala' (Shore seines), 'Choonda' (hooks and lines) and 'Pattu vala' (drift nets). Fishermen catch about average of 15 to 25 kg of fish per day. Most of the days they catch Sardinella Longiceps/gibbosa (Goldstripe sardinella), Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian Mackerel), Stolephorus indicus (Indian anchovy), Rhinoptera javanica (Javanese Cow Nose Ray), Elagatis bipinnulata (milk fish), Uroteuthis duvauceli (Indian squid) etc. The fishermen sell their catches in the morning near the landing centre to the traders or the retailers, who sell it to the market. The advent of the port has increased the woes already existed and now the fisher folk strive to earn their livelihood in spite of several challenges mentioned in the study.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. FAO/leg, 1996 Regional compendium on aqua culture and inland fisheries legislation (Asian Region).FAO development Law Service Rome, FAO.

2. The State Of World Fisheries And Aquaculture.Rome,2010

3. GOI (2001) census of india: provisional population tools, registrar General and Census commissioner of India, Ministry of home affairs, new Delhi, India

4. FAO (2011) FAOSTAT. Food and Agriculture Organisation United Nations

5.International journal of multidisciplinary Research Research and development (2016)

6.Journel OF Humanities Social Sciences(2018)

7.FAO(2017) Fisheries Aquaculture Technical Paper

8.John Kurien Social Factors and economic organisation of traditional samall scale fishermen of india social action vol30 no.2,1981.

9.Thomas Kocherry 1998. Indian fisheries sector – Last fifty years, world forum of fish harvesters and fish workers, June.

10.Dietrich, G. and Nayak, N. (2002) Chapter 4: Fishing as a Traditional Occupation. In: Transition or Transformation? A study of mobilisation, organisation and emergence of consciousness among the fish workers of Kerala. Tamil Nadu, Department if Social Analysis, Tamil Nadu Theological Society. p 58-81.

11.Hapke, H.M. (2001) Development, Gender and Household Survival in a Kerala Fishery. Economic and Political Weekly, March 31, 2001, 1103-1107.

12.Ram, K. (1991) Chapter 3: Popular religion and femininity (1): the disciplining of the female body in popular Catholicism. In: Mukkuvar Women: Gender, hegemony and Capitalist

Transformation in a South India Fishing Community. Sydney, Allen and Unwin Private limited. p 45-112.

13.CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute).,2016. Annual Report 2015-16. Cochin.

14.The Socio-Economic survey of Poonthura, AICUF, 1976, Social Economic and Religious survey of Poonthura, IDP, 1989, Status of Education, Employment and health in the coastal area of Corporation, FRC/PCO, 2000, SIFFS Census 1991 and 1998

15.Feasibility report, GoK/VISL, 2015, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

16.Handbook for fisheries socio-economic sample survey Principles and practice,( FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome) 2017

17. Premjith S, Saisree, IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 23, Issue 1, Ver. 7 (January. 2018) PP 01-06 Weak Supportive System and Livelihood Status among Fisherfolk in Poovar Fish Landing Centre, Kerala,

18.Pandya, Hinal, SardarSarovar: Hope and Reality(New Delhi: Mohit Publications, 2004)

19.Aswathy,N.A; Shanmugam,T.R; Sathiadhas,R., (2011). Economic viability of Mechanised Fishing units and Socio-economics of Fishing ban in Kerala. Indian Journal of Fisheries, Vol 58

20.Kurien, J. (2004). The Blessings of Commons: Small scale Fisheries, community property rights, and coastal natural assets. Working Paper Series No 72. Political Economy Research Institute

28.Oxford English Dictionary. http://oxforddictionaries.com

29.Dr. A Asok, R Sarany; October 2016; a International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development Online ISSN: 2349-4182, Print ISSN: 2349-5979, Impact Factor: RJIF 5.72 www.allsubjectjournal.com Volume 3; Issue 10 Page No. 19-2

30.Dhanuraj D (2004) Traditional Fishermen Folk In Kerala & Their Livelihood Issues, CCS RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PAPERS,’

31.IFC Advisory Services Project with Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (IFC Project #28991) India January 23, 2018 Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO)

32.rapid environmental assessment report ( feb2014 )department of ports government of Kerala

33.R.Swathi, 2018, Vulnerability of Coastal Areas and Livelihood Challenges of Fisher Communities: A case study in Kerala

34.acques Steyn Monash,Mohan Das Monash2014, Claims of mobile phone use by Kerala fishermen not supported by fieldwork

35.Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act (1980). Available at http://previous.wiego.org/informal_economy_law/india/content/fw_kerala_1980.pdf, last accessed February 2014.

36.Soumya Bhowmick and Pratnashree Basu (November 23, 2019) article from The Diplomat magazine (Is India’s Vizhinjam Port Plan Worth It? The plan for a Deepwater port in Kerala has sparked sharp divisions over its benefits and costs.)

37.K.A. Shaji (19 august 2019) publish article on MONGBAY-INDIA environmental news site with the title of “is the Deepwater sea project in Kerala an environmental and livelihood threat’’

38.Rihan Najib (2020) The eroding shorelines of Thiruvananthapuram, business-line Hindu newspaper

39.Alphonsa Joseph, Dr. Bushra Beegom R.K(August. 2017) IOSR Journal of Humanities And Social Science

40.Development of knowledge-based information system for marine fisheries sustainability Code: FRA/ASSESS/01 Period: 2009-2014

41.SHGs and Cooperatives in the Fishing Sector: An Inclusive Development Option for the Fisher folk of Kerala Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)

APPENDIX

Interview Schedule for Livelihood issues of Affected Fisher under the Vizhinjam Project

Objective of the study

1.Content analysis of newspapers, periodicals, and studies regarding the impact of vizhinjam sea port project on coastal life

2. To understand the occupational uncertainty faced by Fisherfolk after the initiation of the Vizhinjam seaport project

3.To understand the income instability faced by Fisherfolk after the initiation of the Vizhinjam seaport project

4.To understand the situation of the Fishing Harbour and fish vending market due to the initiation of Vizhinjam project

Demographics Details:

Name :

Sex : Male

Female

Age:

Educational status:

Marital status: Married

Single

Divorced

Working Pattern : Boat Owner

Labourer

1. Are you facing challenges to fishing after the initiation of Vizhinjam project?

Yes No

If yes specify

Sea roughness coastal erosion Unclear seawater

fish depletion Loss of equipment

2. Do you think the port create unpleasant working condition at sea?

Yes No

3. Do you get the same fish catch after the initiation of Vizhinjam Project?

Yes No

4. Do you notice severe change that occurred in the fishing space after the initiation of Vizhinjam port?

Yes No

If yes specify

a. fish vessels collapsed

b. coastal erosion c. unclear sea water d. any other______5. Do you have the permission to fish near the port area, where there a lot of fish availability according to research?

Yes No

6. Did you get varieties of fishes from the Vizhinjam port zone before; specify the names of those fishes?

Yes No

If ,Yes, then, specify 7. Is the port work going on in the natural habitat of the fishes?

Yes No

8. Does the bio diversity affected due to the port construction?

Yes No 9. Any decrease or extinction of fish after the initiation of Vizhinjam project?

Yes No

10. Did you lose your job because of the project? Yes No 11. Does this break water construction fail the indigenous prediction of the fish availability? Yes No 12. Do you think that the port construction polluted the sea, affected the habitat of fish and reduced the availability of fish?

Yes No 13. Do you think that the coastal erosion happening are due to the construction of the port? Yes No 14. Do you think that the seasonal fishing is affected due to the construction of the port? Yes No 15. Does the extension of mussel colonies affected the fish availability? Yes No 16. Do you still have enough places for boat landing after the coastal erosion after the initiation of Vizhinjam project? Yes No 17. Do you depend the fishing harbour all the seasons or just on the monsoon season when the sea is usually rough?

Monsoon all-time

18.Is the harbour is safe for anchoring the boats Yes No

19. Do you think that the sea roughness in harbour was due to the initiation of the seaport? Yes No

20. Is the sea still rough at the fishing harbour?

Yes No 21. Have you lost or suffer damages of fishing equipment or boat?

Yes No 22. Are there any safety measures taken for the anchored boats and landed boats in harbour?

Yes No 23.Fishing is my main income generating Occupation

Yes No

24. Do you think after the initiation of Vizhinjam sea port income from fishing changed

Yes No

25. Does fishing ban near to Vizhinjam seaport changed fishing behaviour?

Yes No

If so, has this had an effect on your income?

1.Increased

2.decreased

3.stayed the same

4.not sure

26. What is your average monthly income from fishing?

27. How much income do you lose directly due to the initiation of Vizhinjam project and ban of fishing near to that area?

28. Do you havee other sources of income?

29. Is there enough space available for boat landing, fish vending and sales at the fish harbour?

Yes No 30. Is there market functioning or not?

Yes No 31. What is the current situation of the fish vending market situated in the harbour?

32. Do you think that you will be allowed to fish near the port after the inauguration of the port? Yes No