Impact of Changes in Management Regime on Fisheries: A Temporal Case Study of Dhir Beel in Assam

The floodplain wetlands (beels) constitute important fisheries resources of Assam. These resources are managed through a complex social framework. The state of this management regime determines the level and sustainable utilization with implications on fisheries and livelihoods. To find the impact of such management regime, a case study has been undertaken in the Dhir beel of Assam. The impact of the change in the management regime on the sustainability of fisheries and livelihoods of fishers has been evaluated. This change in the management regime has been due to immigration of a large number of people from the nearby areas since 1985. The study has compared the scenario that existed ‘before 1985’ (data of 1982-84) and “after 1985’ (data of 2004). There has been a significant increase in the fishing pressure with new fishing practices (1.5 to 5 times) as well as intensity of effort (3 to 7 times). The weakening of the regulating institutions has led to irrational practices which in turn, have resulted in a decline (22.32%) in the production and productivity of the beel. The decline has been more (31.79%) in terms of value than production of fish, indicating a definite decline in the quality of the fish available in these resources. In the changed scenario, the economics of the management has gone against the resource managers as they are to spend more money on monitoring and enforcing the rules. The livelihood of the fishers has also declined with the high degree of sharing of fish among the fishers.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Farm-economics of genetically improved carp strains in major Asian countries and carp seed price policy model

The study has conducted the micro level analysis of hatchery operators, fishseed-rearing farmers and carp farmers with respect to their socio-economic characteristics, infrastructural development, husbandry practices and economics returns, based on the survey and on-farm trial data collected by the research partners in six Asian countries, viz. Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The genetically-improved carp strain is economically viable and socially acceptable. The attractive profits to hatchery operators and nursery and carp farmers have created conducive environment for the dissemination of improved carp strain. Price policy models for improved strains have been developed. The premium price for fingerlings and broodstock with improved strain has been assessed. The high price of genetically-improved nuclear seed and broodstock would build self-supportive research and extension systems in the country. A business plan for Jayanti rohu has been worked out, as an example for replacement of rohu by Jayanti rohu.Livestock Production/Industries,

Freshwater Aquaculture

Indian aquaculture has grown at a faster pace of almost 5.5 per cent per year consistently since last 50 years. In some of the years the growth rate in the aquaculture was recorded as high as 9 per cent. Indian aquaculture has demonstrated a six and half fold growth over the last two decades, with fresh water aquaculture contributing over 95 per cent of the total aquaculture production and more than half of the national fish production. The three Indian major carps, namely catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) contribute the bulk of production with over 1.8 million tonnes (FAO, 2003) Average national production from fresh water ponds has increased from 0.6 tonnes/ha/year in 1974 to 2.9 tonnes/ha/year by 2009–2010 (DAHDF, 2010), with several farmers even demonstrating production levels as high as 8–12 tonnes/ha/year. For the newly introduced fishes like Pangus the production recorded was as high as 25 tonnes/ha/yr. At the national level as well as in state level, the production and productivity has been on the rise over a period of time. Backed by new policies like Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDA), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and state initiatives, there are enough incentives to increase the productivity of fish per unit water areas

Fishers in Post-harvest Fisheries Sector in India : An Assessment of Socio-economic Status

This paper presents the results of study carried out during 2009-11, to assess literacy, health and income status of fishers in India with reference to postharvest sector which covered fishers in marketing and processing. The study covered five states and one union territory, covering 11 districts reaching 548 households. About 52.19% of the respondents fell in the age group of 36-55. The average male- female ratio was 1.03 and 66.61% of the families were in the small family category of 2-4 members. It was observed that the literacy rates among fishers in post-harvest sector in different states ranged from 63.74 to 95.81%. In general, the literacy rates were comparable to the national average. Maternal and child mortality were low in the sample studied and the average birth weight of infants was 2.68 kg. The average monthly income was Rs. 7027.45 with a daily income of Rs. 234.25. About 44.70% of the households had no savings and 47.81% of households were in debt

Inland Fisheries

The Indian fisheries date back to time immemorial, but, the saga of success has been related to early post independence years. With renewed accent on optimum utilization of country’s aquatic wealth for fisheries, the Government of India earmarked an ambitious programme of mechanization and modernization through upgradation of technology during early fifties. Therefore, Indian fisheries witnessed impressive transformation from a highly traditional rural activity to technologically sound well developed industry. Indian fisheries sector has growing steadily from the first plan onwards with the annual fish production of 0.754 million tonnes during 1950-51 to the level of 9.57 million tonnes during 2012-13

Impact of Changes in Management Regime on Fisheries: A Temporal Case Study of Dhir Beel in Assam

The floodplain wetlands (beels) constitute important fisheries resources of Assam. These resources are managed through a complex social framework. The state of this management regime determines the level and sustainable utilization with implications on fisheries and livelihoods. To find the impact of such management regime, a case study has been undertaken in the Dhir beel of Assam. The impact of the change in the management regime on the sustainability of fisheries and livelihoods of fishers has been evaluated. This change in the management regime has been due to immigration of a large number of people from the nearby areas since 1985. The study has compared the scenario that existed ‘before 1985’ (data of 1982-84) and “after 1985’ (data of 2004). There has been a significant increase in the fishing pressure with new fishing practices (1.5 to 5 times) as well as intensity of effort (3 to 7 times). The weakening of the regulating institutions has led to irrational practices which in turn, have resulted in a decline (22.32%) in the production and productivity of the beel. The decline has been more (31.79%) in terms of value than production of fish, indicating a definite decline in the quality of the fish available in these resources. In the changed scenario, the economics of the management has gone against the resource managers as they are to spend more money on monitoring and enforcing the rules. The livelihood of the fishers has also declined with the high degree of sharing of fish among the fishers

Farm-economics of genetically improved carp strains in major Asian countries and carp seed price policy model

The study has conducted the micro level analysis of hatchery operators, fishseed-rearing farmers and carp farmers with respect to their socio-economic characteristics, infrastructural development, husbandry practices and economics returns, based on the survey and on-farm trial data collected by the research partners in six Asian countries, viz. Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The genetically-improved carp strain is economically viable and socially acceptable. The attractive profits to hatchery operators and nursery and carp farmers have created conducive environment for the dissemination of improved carp strain. Price policy models for improved strains have been developed. The premium price for fingerlings and broodstock with improved strain has been assessed. The high price of genetically-improved nuclear seed and broodstock would build self-supportive research and extension systems in the country. A business plan for Jayanti rohu has been worked out, as an example for replacement of rohu by Jayanti rohu

Rural Livelihood Security: Assessment of Fishers’ Social Status in India

The study has assessed the levels of literacy, health, income and livelihood security of the fisherfolk in India by taking a sample of 4555 fisher households selected from six fisheries sectors (marine capture, inland capture, mariculture, fresh water and brackish water aquaculture and marketing and processing) in 19 states of India. The primary data were collected using a pre-tested survey scheduled during January to December, 2011. The age profile of the fisher household revealed the dominance of the young — onethird with less than 35 years of age and more than half in 35 to 55 years age groups. The literacy rate has been found quite high, about 80 per cent on overall basis. The health status of fisher households has been assessed using birth weight of infants, incidence of mortality among mothers/children during birth, administration of vaccines and health care facilities. It has been found that for a better livelihood security, the respondent households have diversified their income sources beyond fisheries, the major ones being labour, agriculture, and business and non-farm activities. The average monthly income across all sectors was about ` 6500, in which about 73 per cent were from fisheries. For economic security, a considerable number (around 40%) of fisher households had savings, the average amount being ` 4200 per fisher household. The study has suggested that microfinance enterprises like self-help groups (SHGs) should be promoted to help the fishers to address their problem of indebtedness. There exists huge potential of imparting training to fishers, particularly the young and womenfolk, on fisheries management and diversified enterprises including services delivery

Not Available

Not AvailableThis paper presents the results of study carried out during 2009-11, to assess literacy, health and income status of fishers in India with reference to postharvest sector which covered fishers in marketing and processing. The study covered five states and one union territory, covering 11 districts reaching 548 households. About 52.19% of the respondents fell in the age group of 36-55. The average male- female ratio was 1.03 and 66.61% of the families were in the small family category of 2-4 members. It was observed that the literacy rates among fishers in post-harvest sector in different states ranged from 63.74 to 95.81%. In general, the literacy rates were comparable to the national average. Maternal and child mortality were low in the sample studied and the average birth weight of infants was 2.68 kg. The average monthly income was Rs. 7027.45 with a daily income of Rs. 234.25. About 44.70% of the households had no savings and 47.81% of households were in debt.Not Availabl