The Indian oil sardine, is a very Sardinella longiceps
important pelagic fish species which contributes to about 25%
of the total marine fish production in India. The oil sardine
contribution slipped to an all-time low of about 68,431 tonnes
during 2015. Unfavourable environmental impact caused by the
El Nino appears to have played a powerful role in the slump of oil
sardine fishery. There have been considerable losses in the
income and number of employment days. The losses are
contributed not only by reduction and reduced catches but also
reduced number of fishing operations and fisher man days. The
present study probes with the following objectives viz.,
assessing the share of different crafts and gears harvesting oil
sardine over the years, estimating the quantum of losses
consequent to reduced landings and efforts and assessing the
impact on reduction in landings on employment. The analysis
revealed that the average employment loss during 2015 was
estimated as 129.84 crores and the wage loss as 104.58 crore.
The total economic loss incurred to the fishermen was found to
be 234.42crores. The constraints expressed by the fishers
indicated that reduced income and increased employment and
increased debts were the major impending factor the for
reduced landings of sardine. The study highlights the need for
governmental guidelines in demarcating areas for sardine
catches for the traditional fishermen so that the livelihood isn't
affected and would reduce fishing pressure from other sector
