Economic efficiency of gill net fishing in Munambam, Ernakulam

The most important fisheries management reforms in Kerala is the monsoon trawl ban when fishing using mechanized vessels like trawlers is banned as the monsoon season is considered to be the breeding and pre-recruitment period of most of the commercially important species. This period however witnesses extensive fishing activity by the motorised sector in Kerala and Munambam Fisheries Harbour, one among the nine major fishing harbours in Kerala was monitored for assessing the economic efficiency of motorised crafts. There are 145 motorised boats and 390 mechanised boats actively operating in the harbour. During monsoon trawl ban, motorized and non-motorized boats are operated, include those coming from other locations of the state

Study on the role of microfinance on indebtedness in marine fisheries sector in Odisha

The microfinance organizations and self help groups mobilised in marine fisheries sector play vital role in reducing the indebtedness among marine fisherfolk. The study makes an attempt on the assessment of the extent of indebtedness among marine fisherfolk in mechanized, motorized and traditional fisheries sectors and the impact assessment of Microfinance Institutions (MFI) on coastal indebtedness. The study was carried out in four coastal districts of Odisha state. Situational analysis was done through PLA in the selected locations and the sample respondents were selected from mechanized, motorized and traditional sectors. Data were collected through personal interview from members of 12 selected MFIs and non members in these sectors comprising a total of 600 respondents. The results showed that the level of indebtedness of members of MFIs was less compared to the non members. Even if the indebtedness was more in certain cases, the repayment capacity was found to be significantly improved in MFIs. There is an extreme necessity for strengthening the MFI ventures in the traditional and tertiary fisheries sectors in the state. A comparative assessment of the sources of credit, purposes of credit and utilization pattern of loans in the state also was undertaken to draw valid conclusions. It was also found that the MFIs ranked better in most of the major attributes in the perception of stakeholders compared to banks and non-institutional credit sources. Success cases of MFIs on entrepreneurial capacity building, those significantly played the role in the debt redemption and poverty alleviation were documented as a practical manual for mobilizing MFIs in any key areas on a sustainable basis

Economic efficiency of inboard ring seine fishery of Ernakulam District, Kerala

The economic sustainability of marine fishing and livelihood security of fishers largely depend on the economic viability of fishing operations. The inboard ring seiners are one of the major fishing gears employed by the traditional fishermen for harvesting small pelagic fishes in Kerala. An economic analysis of the inboard ring seine operations in Ernakulam District revealed that although the gross revenue earned by these fishing units increased in nominal terms during 2014-2018 period, there was downward trend in the economic efficiency. The net operating income per fishing trip declined from `59,936 in 2014 to `33,527 in 2018 with pronounced rise in fishing costs from `88,806 in 2014 to `1,28,749 in 2018. The increase in the size of craft, gear and engine horse power contributed to enhanced fishing capacity and fuel costs and it is highly imperative to standardise the capacity of these fishing units to achieve optimal input use efficienc

Mainstreaming gender through Aquatourism venture: an assessment of impact of women SHGs in Kerala

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) made a study on gender mainstreaming and impact of Self Help Groups by mobilised women in Aquatourism venture in Narakkal and Malipuram in Vypeen Island in Ernakulam district of Kerala state. ‘Matsyafed’ of Kerala State Fisheries Department and Tsunami Emergency Assistance Program (TEAP) have organized these women SHGs for uplifting the life of Fisherfolk by enhancing Fish production Marketing, Technical support and Ecotourism. SHGs names as Souparnika in Narakkal and Vandanam in Malippuram are running the cafeteria which provides delicious homely meals and cooked fish items. The impact of SHGs on gender mainstreaming by assessing the equity and equality of men and women in these SHGs was assessed through gender analysis, performance level of SHG, Empowerment Index and economic feasibility analysis with socio economic surveys undertaken in the locality with a pre-tested and structured data gathering protocols consisting of standardized scales and indices. Empowerment Index was quantified based on 8 relevant dimensions constituting it. The male and female counterparts of the families were separately interviewed to assess the gender mainstreaming aspects in terms of equity and equality to access to resources, participation profile, decision making aspects, gender need analysis etc. Proper ‘training on technical matters’ and ‘marketing aspects’ were found to be inevitable for more desirable results. Female counterparts also do have a definite role in site selection, purchase of accessories, cooking, serving, cleaning, marketing etc. The Scales of ‘Performance Assessment’ and ‘Empowerment Index’ developed for this study have good potential for future use in other key areas on a sustainable basis. Lacunae identified in Empowerment Index computation give adequate feedback to authorities to proceed in the right direction. The gender dimension analysis on mainstreaming aspect gives sensitization on crucial issues like women fisher folk’s rights and marketing channels for policies and other interventions on gender. Inter relationships between the variables an act as catalytic points for group action and group empowerment on a sustainable basis. The success case study elucidated can be used as a case model and practical manual for promoting group action for mobilising SHGs on a sustainable basis

Impact of Self Help Groups in Gender Mainstreaming: A Case Study on Fish Amino Enterprise in Vypin, Kerala

A study for assessing the impact of SHGs in gender mainstreaming was undertaken on the fish amino acid producing units operating at Vypin located at Ernakulam District of Kerala. The analysis included specific aspects such as performance assessment of the SHGs, gender analysis, empowerment analysis and economic feasibility analysis which were carried out based on socio-economic surveys and personal interviews using pre-tested and structured data gathering protocols with standardized scales and indices involving the members of the SHGs. The male and female counterparts of the families were separately interviewed to assess the gender mainstreaming aspects in terms of equity and equality to access to resources, participation profile, decision making aspects, gender need analysis etc. Though majority of activities are female dominated, the male counterparts of the households also have definite role in decision making, purchase of accessories, sales, marketing etc. The indicative economics worked out for the economic feasibility analysis of the SHGs suggests that, the unit takes just one year to break even. A success case study was elucidated and documented as a documentary movie which can be used as a case model for promoting group action for mobilizing SHGs on a sustainable basis

Gender Mainstreaming and Impact of Self-Help Groups: A Study on Social Entrepreneurship through Fish Aggregating Devices in Mannancheri of Alappuzha, Kerala

A research study for assessing the impact of fisher folk Self Help Groups in gender mainstreaming was undertaken on social entrepreneurship venture on fish aggregating devices at Mannancheri gramapanchayath, located at Alappuzha district of Kerala. The analysis included specific aspects such as performance assessment of the SHGs, gender analysis and empowerment analysis which were carried out based on socio-economic surveys and personal interviews using pre-tested and structured data gathering protocols with standardized scales and indices involving the members of the SHGs. The male and female counterparts of the families were separately interviewed to assess the gender mainstreaming aspects in terms of equity and equality to access to resources, participation profile, decision making aspects, gender need analysis etc. Though majority of activities are male dominated, the female counterparts of the households also have definite role in decision making, purchase of accessories etc. A success case study was elucidated and documented as a documentary which can be used as a case model for promoting group action for mobilizing SHGs on a sustainable basis

Impact of Self-Help Groups in gender mainstreaming: A case study on clam processing units in Pookaitha village, Kottayam, Kerala

A study for assessing the impact of SHGs in gender mainstreaming was undertaken on the clam processing units operating at Pookaitha located at Kottayam District of Kerala. The analysis included specific aspects such as performance assessment of the SHGs, gender analysis, empowerment analysis and economic feasibility analysis which were carried out based on socio-economic surveys and personal interviews using pre-tested and structured data gathering protocols with standardized scales and indices involving the members of the SHGs. The male and female counterparts of the families were separately interviewed to assess the gender mainstreaming aspects in terms of equity and equality to access to resources, participation profile, decision making aspects, gender need analysis etc. Though majority of activities are female dominated, the male counterparts of the households also have definite role in decision making, purchase of accessories, sales, marketing etc. The indicative economics worked out for the economic feasibility analysis of the SHGs suggests that, the unit takes two years to break even. A success case study was elucidated and documented as a documentary which can be used as a case model for promoting group action for mobilizing SHGs on a sustainable basis

Short stint night fish markets in Kerala: A case study

Night markets of short stints (mostly one to two hours) are found to exist mostly in the landlocked regions of Kottayam and Idukki districts in Kerala. These markets offer sizeable fish trade with arrivals from different coastal states. There exist “identified” traders and possess “dedicated” roads for the timely disposal of the fish in the shortest time possible. The functioning and performance appraisal of the two prominent short stint night markets in Ernakulam district viz., Perumbavoor and Muvattupuzha was studied

Impulse effect of demonetisation on the fishing operations, trade and fish consumption in Ernakulam, Kerala

A rapid survey was conducted during 24-26 November 2016 in order to assess the effect of demonetisation of the ` 1000 and ` 500 currency bills on the marine fishing operations, trade and fish consumption in Ernakulam district, Kerala across different landing centres and markets. A structured schedule eliciting information on the details related to the total number of fishing operations, crew size, landings, price realised, etc. was used (Annexure 1). The traders (exporters, wholesalers and retailers) were queried on the changes in the quantum of transaction and prices (paid and demonstration realised) during the pre and past periods. The study analysed the extent of different fishing operations by mechanised, motorised and non-mechanised sector in the landing centres / harbours of Munambam, Chellanam, Fort Cochin, Cochin Fisheries harbour and Kalamukku during the pre-demonetised (prior to 8th November) and post demonetised (9-23 November 2016) period covering a fortnight The fishing operations include the number of trips, days of fishing, depth of fishing, crew size, crew share, operating cost etc. The traders from the Broadway, Thevara, Thoppumpady, Chambakkara and Kaloor fish markets were interviewed for assessing the status of the business during these days. In addition, consumers were interviewed on their pattern of fish consumption during the period

Rapid assessment of the fish trade, arrivals and price realization in Kerala

Fisheries contribute to around 3 % of the economy of Kerala and provides employment to about 2.14 lakh people including its secondary and tertiary sectors such as marketing and processing. The marine fish landings in Kerala (2015) was 4.82 lakh tonnes forming 73.36 % of the total fish production in the state. A considerable 30% reduction in the marine fish landings during 2015 compared to the average (2010-14) landings of 6.82 lakh tonnes was noticed