INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN KERALA, INDIA Thesis submitted to the Cochin University of Science and Technology for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Under the Faculty of Social Sciences By Baiju.K.K. Under the Supervision of Dr. K.T. Thomson Professor in Economics School of Industrial Fisheries Cochin University of Science And Technology Faculty of Social Sciences Cochin University of Science and Technology August -2013 Dedicated to “Unknown living martyrs of struggles to protection of rights and livelihood in marine fisheries in Kerala” This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Institutional Analysis of Marine Fisheries Management Practices in Kerala, India” is an authentic record of the research work carried out by Mr. Baiju.K.K under my supervision and guidance at the school of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and no part thereof has been submitted for any other degree at any other institution. Dr. K.T. Thomson (Supervising Guide) Professor in Economics School of Industrial Fisheries Cochin University of Science and Technology Cochin 16. Declaration I hereby declare that the present work entitled ““Institutional Analysis of Marine Fisheries Management Practices in Kerala, India” is based on original work done by me under the guidance of Dr. K.T. Thomson, Professor in Economics, School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and has not been included in any other thesis submitted previously for the award of any degree. Cochin Baiju.K.K. Contents Page No Chapter 1 Introduction………………………………………..……………….1-12 1.1 Objectives 1.2 Scope and significance of the research 1.3 Limitation of the study 1.4 Scheme of the thesis Chapter 2 Review of literature……………………………….……………..13-52 2.1 The science behind fisheries management 2.1.1 Biological process in fisheries management 2.1.2 Economics of fisheries management 2.1.3 Ecosystem based fisheries management 2.1.4 Uncertainty in fisheries management 2.1.5 Precautionary approach to fisheries management 2.1.6 Social issues in resource management with special reference to small scale fisheries in developing countries 2.2 Marine fisheries management in India: A review of theory and practices 2.2.1 Marine fisheries management in Kerala: A brief overview 2.3 Summary and conclusions Chapter 3 Theoretical framework and methodology…………..…….…53-77 3.1 A conceptual framework for understanding and analysing marine fisheries management in Kerala, India 3.2 Methodology 3.2.1 Study area 3.2.2 Spatial and geographical characteristics of study areas 3.2.3 Selection of districts in Kerala 3.2.4 Selection of study villages, units and communities 3.2.5 Geographical stratification of villages 3.2.6 Classification of sample at study area 3.2.7 Distribution of samples in study area 3.2.8 Selection of samples in study area 3.2.9 Method of data collection 3.2.10 Types of data collection 3.3 Summary and conclusion Chapter 4 Marine fishery resources users and activities in Kerala……………………………………….………78-100 4.1 A general description of marine fisheries of Kerala 4.2 Mechanisation of marine fisheries and growth of marine fishing fleet in Kerala 4.3 Activities of artisanal fishermen groups in Cochin 4.4 Activities of mechanized fishermen groups in Cochin 4.4.1 The trawler fishery 4.4.2 Purse seine fishery 4.4.3 Mechanized migrant fishery 4.4.4 Mechanized gillnet and hook and line fishery 4.4.5 Industrial fishing fleet 4.5 Summary and conclusions Chapter 5 Management concerns of marine fisheries in Kerala……...101-128 5.1 Resource degradation: Emerging scenarios in Kerala marine fisheries 5.1.1 An analysis of yield, effort, and catch per unit effort in the marine fisheries off Kerala: Signs of resource degradation in the artisanal sector 5.1.2 An analysis of yield, effort, and catch per unit effort in the marine fisheries off Kerala: Signs of resource degradation in the mechanized sector 5.2 Economic crisis 5.2.1 Economic analysis of artisanal non motorized and motorized fisheries 5.2.2 Economic performance of artisanal mechanized sector 5.2.3 Economic analysis of mechanized fish production systems 5.2.3.1 Economic viability of mechanised trawlers of Cochin fisheries 5.2.3.2 Economic viability of mechanised purse seine fisheries of Cochin 5.2.3.3 Economic viability of mechanized gillnetters Cochin fisheries 5.4 Summary and conclusions Chapter 6 Community based management of marine fisheries in Kasargod District………………………………………….……129-151 6.1 Location of study area and ecological settings 6.2 Social organization of marine fisheries 6.3 Structure and functions of Kadakkodi 6.3.1 Organizational structure of Kadakkodi 6.3.2 Management functions of Kadakkodi 6.4 Summary and conclusions Chapter 7 Institutional dynamics and marine fisheries management practices in Ernakulam……………………….152-193 7.1 Actors in marine fisheries management in Ernakulam district 7.1.1 State and fisheries management 7.1.2 Artisanal fisheries organization 7.1.3 Organization of small scale industrial fishing fleet 7.2 Attributes and positions of actors in marine fisheries management 7.2.1 Attributes 7.2.2 Positions 7.3 Interaction for marine fisheries management 7.3.1 Federal system of governance: Implication for marine fisheries management in Ernakulam district 7.3.2 Formal regulation in marine fisheries: The response of communities and industry 7.3.3 Community – state – Industry interactions and informal marine fisheries management 7.3.3.1 Legalizing artisanal mechanized ring seine fisheries 7.3.3.2 Intra community gear conflict management 7.3.3.3 Technological innovation, intensification and recouping commons 7.3.4 Industry and state interactions: Lobbying for alternative fisheries management 7.3.4.1 Weak industry – state interactions 7.3.4.2 Industry – community cooperation and collective action against joint ventures 7.3.4.3 Conflict management between migrant and local purse seine fishing enterprises 7.4 Potential outcomes of marine fisheries management 7.4.1 District and state level fisheries coordination committees 7.4.2 Crafting informal institutions for marine fisheries management 7.5 Summary and conclusions. Chapter 8 Summary and Conclusion……………………………………194-203 References………………………………………………….204-234 Appendices …….…… List of Tables TABLE TITLE PAGE NO. 3.1 Distribution of fishermen in the study area 2005 68 3.2 Distribution of artisanal fishing vessels and samples 69 selected in the study area 2005 3.3 Distribution of mechanized fishing vessel and 70 samples selected in the study area 2005 3.4 Key informants interview with different fishing units, 74 trade unions, primary producers organizations 3.5 Focus group discussions in the study area 75 3.6 Meetings attended producers organizations 75 4.1 Quantity and percentage distribution of pelagic and 79 demersal group of fish landings in Kerala 4.2 Quantity and percentage distribution of demersal 81 group of fish landings in Kerala 4.3 Quantity and percentage distribution of pelagic group 83 of fish landings in Kerala 4.4 Growth of fishing fleet in Kerala: 1973 -2005 85 4.5 Artisanal marine fishing crafts and workers in the 88 southern zone of Ernakulam district in 1950 4.6 Artisanal marine fishing crafts and workers in the 89 north zone of Ernakulam district in 1950 4.7 Distribution of motorized crafts and gears in 92 Ernakulam in 2002 4.8 Distribution of non mechanised crafts and gears in the traditional94 sector in Ernakulam district in 1998 4.9 Mechanized fishing boats in operation in Kerala in 96 1966-67 5.1 Distribution of Effort (Fishing days), Yield (Tonnes) 104 and CPUE (kilogram) by Artisanal sector using Outboard Motors 1985-2005 5.2 Trend equations on catch per unit effort of major 105 artisanal craft –gear combinations in Kerala 5.3 Regression of yield on effort by different artisanal 108 craft gear combinations during 1985-2005 in Kerala 5.4 Distribution of Yield, Effort and CPUE by mechanized 112 sector 1985-2005 5.5 Trend equations of catch per unit effort of major 115 mechanised fishing methods in Kerala 5.6 Regression results of yield on effort by major 116 mechanized fishing methods during the period 1980- 2005 5.7 Costs and earnings of artisanal craft gear 120 combinations in the study area: 2005 5.8 Cost and earnings of artisanal mechanized ring seine 121 fisheries in Ernakulam, 2004-07 5.10 Costs and earnings of selected class of mechanized 124 trawlers in Cochin 5.11 Cost and Earnings of purse-seine boats in 2004-05 126 5.12 Cost and Earnings of mechanized gill-netters, 2004-05 127 6.1 Distribution of fishermen population in Kasaragod 133 districts 6.2 Craft, gear combination and fishing calendar 135 6.3 Major operational rules of Kadakkodi 140 6.4 Major monitoring and sanctioning rules 141 6.5 Lists the collective choice rules prevailing at present 141 6.6 Indicators of economic performance of major marine 149 fisheries in selected kadakkodis 7.1 Matrix showing interactions involving state, artisanal 164 communities and fishing industry for evolving management institutions 7.2 Duration of monsoon ban in Kerala from 1988 to 2012 170 7.3 Deep sea fishing vessels having permits under 182 various schemes List of Figures Fig. Page Title No. No. 3.1 Institutional frameworks for understanding marine 57 fisheries management in Kerala 4.1 Trend of total marine fish landings in Kerala 1950- 80 2005 4.2 Trend of demersal fish landings in Kerala during 81 1950-2005 4.3 Trend of pelagic fish