Enforcement of Minimum Legal Size on Fishers in Kerala, India: An Economic Appraisal

The implementation of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) as a tool for managing fisheries and addressing the menace of juvenile fishing was first implemented by the state of Kerala in India in 2015. Since sustainability and profits offer a dramatic trade-off, the study has been conceptualized on the hypothesis that MLS has negatively affected the income of fishers. Primary data from 210 respondents across mechanized, motorized, and non-motorized fishing sectors were collected from six districts of Kerala to analyze and assess the change in income of fishers after the adoption of minimum legal size. The income of fishers who adopted MLS were found to be reduced in all the sectors viz. purse and ring seiners, single day trawlers, motorized gillnetters, and non-motorized crafts with 4.04, 2.31, 2.14, and 1.48 per cent reduction in income respectively. The benefit-cost analysis between compliers and non-compliers of MLS revealed that the adoption of minimum legal size has not significantly affected the fishers, as they could fetch higher price for their catch which negated the loss of income due to MLS adoption. These results highlight the necessity of implementing management measures like MLS to achieve sustainability and better management of marine capture fisheries

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Not AvailableMany factors, specificities and characteristics influences the individual consumer in his decision making process, shopping habits, purchasing behaviour, the brands he buys or the retailers he goes. Consumers’ purchase decision is the result of each and every one of these factors. Thus, the study was taken up in Kolkata City to determine the factors affecting fish consumption and also to identify and prioritize the constraints faced by fish consumers in the traditional fish markets. The data was collected from 150 fish consumers randomly selected who were willing to participate with the help of well-structured pre-tested interview schedule. The study showed that price of fish (78%), followed by a taste of fish (76%) and variety of fish (73%) were the major qualitative factors affecting the purchase decision of fish, while among the quantitative factors cost per visit, the number of fish eaters in the family, the frequency of a person visiting the fish market, monthly income of the head of household and the age of the respondent played a significant role. The major constraints faced by the fish consumers in the fish markets were poor hygienic condition (95%) of the fish market, parking facility (79%) and lack of sanitation facilities (68%). This study could be a guide to both the buyers and sellers of fish and fish products to produce products of desired quality, with a good price in a hygienic condition.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe present study was conducted in Kolkata, to examine if there is any difference in consumer behavior from traditional fish markets to modern fish markets. The survey included 300 households, 150 each from the traditional fish markets and modern retail outlets. The perception study showed that 49, 70 and 61% of the respondents perceived quality, variety and price of fish as good, plenty and reasonable, respectively in traditional fish markets, while 67, 53 and 49% of the consumers perceived quality, variety and price as average, very few and very high respectively in modern retail markets. Perception index score revealed that 82.67% had perceived traditional market as good (>0.66) in the context of quality, variety and price, while modern retail outlets are perceived poor, (<0.33) by 62% of consumers. The regression adjustment model revealed that anticipated expenditure of consumer on fish and fish products was Rs. 980 more in modern retail outlets than the traditional fish markets. To enhance the efficiency and enhance consumer’s satisfaction, modern retailers should increase the variety of fishes while traditional markets need to improve hygiene.Not Availabl