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This study investigates the fish assemblage in a temporarily-closed sandbar estuary along India's west coast, across different zones and seasons. Moderate species diversity (54 species), low species abundance, varying fish diversity from lower to upper estuarine gradient (higher counts in lower zones, and decreasing from middle to upper zones), and higher prevalence of marine migrants (estuarine use) and piscivorous species (feeding mode) were the significant characteristics of the estuary. Distinct spatial, seasonal, and estuarine mouth state-based variations were recorded in the estuary, based on diversity indices and count of taxa. Peak diversity and abundance were noted during the pre-monsoon, and during the open mouth state of the estuary. The entire estuarine gradient is anthropogenically impacted by a multitude of stressors, except at the estuarine mouth region, which is favored by marine connectivity. The fish assemblage structure in Poonthura estuary (PE) has thus far remained unaffected by anthropogenic disturbances. Nevertheless, growth and nursery function of the estuary have been significantly compromised. The predominance of juvenile fish in the ecosystem, and prevailing anthropogenic stressors from point and non-point sources underscore the necessity for long-term maintenance of the population of coastal species, as well as a need for developing and implementing urgent management strategies for this fragile ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great personalities of the Indian subcontinent are associated with our legends, folklore, traditions, rituals and regional songs. Similarly, mountains, trees, cows, fishes, etc. are also linked with the above aspects. Among fishes, these aspects are associated with hilsa or ilisha (Tenualosa ilisha; family Clupeidae). Because hilsa is associated with traditions, scholars have studied this in detail. Hilsa is generally found during the monsoon season between Rivers Ganges and Godavari in India and in Bangladesh. Past several years hilsa has drawn attention because of low production and escalating costs. Therefore, fishermen along the Odisha coast in eastern India require information on hilsa with regard to fishing season and techniques. The catch statistics indicated an increase in the hilsa landings for the past few years. This note discusses information collected from fishing communities of Odisha and compared it with the published literature. It is important to formulate specific guidelines for non-destructive fishing methods for its sustainable management, along with proper scientific assessments to manage the stock by the concerned agencies, which can help in preserving this fish for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory forms of policy-making have often been criticized for insufficiently theorizing the coproduction of publics and matters of concern. This paper seeks to investigate this relationship further by analyzing how the concept of civic epistemologies (CEs) can provide insights for understanding how political contexts shape both publics and contestable debates. Presenting fieldwork on cyclone governance in Odisha, India, based on the analysis of interviews with vulnerable fishing communities and state actors, the article shows how CEs influence the interdependent formation of vulnerable fisher and state subjectivities on one hand with representations of risk located in external biophysical atmospheric gases on the other, thereby sustaining reductive roles and futures. At the same time, the paper develops the concept of CEs by examining them as performative acts carried out by marginalized communities and state actors at the subnational level of a nonindustrialized country, thereby indicating sites at which epistemic agency can be increased and governed. Participatory knowledge production needs to understand how it is affected by CEs if it is to generate effective expertise for transformative futures in the face of increasing climatic risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining the ecological quality of estuaries is challenging because of the inadequacy of available methods and indices to characterise the ecosystem. In Indian estuaries, there are no scientific attempts to establish multi-metric fish index to determine the ecological status. A multi-metric fish index (EMFI) was customised for twelve predominantly open estuaries on India's western coast. The index was established at the individual estuary level to ensure uniformity and contrast from sixteen metrics that designate the fish community and diversity, composition and abundance, estuarine use and trophic integrity from 2016 to 2019. A sensitivity study was followed to measure the responses of the EMFI under different metric varying scenarios. There were seven metrics identified as the most prominent for the EMFI in metric alteration scenarios. We also deduced a composite pressure index (CPI) based on the anthropogenic pressures described for the estuaries. The ecological quality ratios (EQR) defined based on EMFI (EQRE) and the CPI (EQRP) for all the estuaries were positively correlated. The EQRE values calculated based on the regression relationship (EQRE on EQRP) showed the divisions from 0.43 (bad) to 0.71 (high) for the Indian west coast estuaries. Similarly, the standardised CPI (EQRP) values for different estuaries indicated that the values range from 0.37 to 0.61. Our results based on the EMFI suggest four estuarine systems (33%) as 'good', seven (58%) as 'moderate' and one (9%) as 'poor'. Generalised Linear Mixed Model for EQRE showed that EQRP and estuary influenced EQRE; however, the effect of year was not significant. This comprehensive study based on the EMFI is the first record for predominantly open estuaries along the Indian coast. Therefore, the EMFI established in this study could be reliably advocated as a sound, effective and composite tool of ecological quality for tropical open transitional waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish guild structure of 96 fish species inhabiting the Vembanad Lake, an open, large, well-mixed coastal estuary along the south-west coast of India, was studied based on samples from upper (freshwater), middle (estuarine), and lower (saline) zones representing three major seasons (monsoon, post-monsoon, and pre-monsoon). Functional group assessment revealed seven ecological guilds (marine estuarine opportunists, freshwater, marine estuarine dependent, estuarine, catadromous, anadromous, and amphidromous), six feeding guilds (detritivore, zooplanktivore, herbivore, zoobenthivore, omnivore, and carnivore), three vertical distribution guilds (demersal, benthopelagic, and pelagic), five reproductive-mode functional groups (oviparous with pelagic eggs, oviparous with benthic eggs, oviparous guarders, viviparous and ovoviviparous), and five flow-preference guilds (rheophilic A1, eurytopic, rheophilic A2, rheophilic B, and rheophilic C). The estuary was characterized by high species diversity, low individual species abundance, complex guild structure, varying fish diversity from upper to lower estuary and higher proportion of marine rather than 'true' estuarine species. The absence of a significant relationship between season and fish guild structuring could be due to high resource availability in the estuary and low ecological connectivity between upper and lower estuarine zones as a result of anthropogenic interventions in the middle zone. Salinity variations considerably influenced the fish guild formation in the estuary. A drastic change in the hydrography of the estuary over the past sixty years due to topographical alterations has transformed the fish guilds resulting in a considerable increase in freshwater species and a reduction in marine and estuarine-dependant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on research conducted in a fishing village in southern India to examine the ways in which middle‐aged women in a precarious socio‐economic position used mobility and immobility strategies to improve their livelihoods, both inside and outside of fisheries. Kaufmann et al.'s (2004) work on motility is applied to show how the mobility decisions and livelihood needs and plans of five women (occupying different socio‐economic positions) were influenced by socio‐economic structures. The study shows that the women's mobility decisions allowed them to improve their socio‐economic positions and reconfigure their gendered identities in the local village, outside the fishing sector. Motility (which encapsulates socio‐spatial mobility) empowered these women by allowing them to move out of the increasingly precarious small‐scale fisheries industry. We argue that the concept of motility provides a useful analytical framework for understanding mobility, and we use the women's narratives to exemplify this claim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying of fish at the Sagar Island (21.7269° N, 88.1096° E) is generally carried out in open sun on the seashore on plastic sheets or mat of palm leaves. This is not an environment-friendly and healthy practice. To alleviate the limitations of open sun drying, 600 kg (300 kg × 2) walk-in solar thermal dryer was installed at a fishing cooperative. The dryer consequently augmented the income of the fisher folk by enhancing throughput and refining the quality of dried fish. The design incorporated, (a) 80% UV cut-off film to take care of appearance of the dried fish; (b) facilitating proper air flow pattern for uniform both side drying; (c) completely dismantlable system to take care of incoming storms/cyclones in advance; (d) solar photovoltaic powered dehumidifiers to control the relative humidity at night and achieve a dried batch in less than 24 h. The fabricated solar thermal dryer had drying temperature in the range of 36.9–53.1 °C throughout the day. Due to the use of the dehumidifiers, an entire batch of fish could be dried from an initial 80% to final 10% moisture content (wet basis) in less than 24 h compared to 38 h in open sun drying. The solar thermal drying efficiency was 30.24% and specific energy consumption was found to be 2.35 kg/kWh. The embodied energy was 10,756 kWh and CO2 emission was calculated to be 422 kg per year, which was lower than other fossil-driven drying systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia is located on the east coast of India. The ecological condition of the lake has deteriorated over several decades, impacting two lakh fisherfolk living in the region. The state government with an aim to provide livelihood security to local communities, has been promoting ecotourism in the region. This qualitative study based on Focused Group Discussion (FGD) carried out in Satapada, Puri district of Odisha explores the nature of tourism in practice, its role in providing livelihood support, and its linkage with ecological conservation. It shows that the recent crisis in the fishing sector was triggered by a hydrological intervention in the form of a new sea mouth dredged in 2000. It has forced the fishing communities to engage in dolphin-based tourism services and juvenile fish-catching as a coping mechanism. Tourism in turn has led to significant increase in number of motorboats further endangering dolphins and other aquatic species, making this form of nature-based tourism unsustainable. The study calls for an adaptive governance framework that allows multiple agencies at different levels to work together with shared objectives, and remain in continual dialogue with local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present for the first time, data on fish assemblage structure for ten temporarily closed estuaries (TCEs) along the south-western coast of India. Fish community structure differed significantly between TCEs based on species presence/absence, estuarine use and feeding mode. Marine migrant and freshwater stragglers dominated the 'fish guilds', while piscivores and zoobenthivores were the major feeding guilds, in all estuaries. We used the Estuarine Fish Community Index (EFCI) and a Combined Anthropogenic Pressure Index (CPI) to determine the ecological quality of TCEs. The application of functional guilds and EFCI successfully represented the use of TCEs by fish communities, and also the functional similarities existing between fish assemblages of these estuaries, despite considerable taxonomic, physical and chemical differences. EFCI indicated that the ecological health of TCEs in south-western India ranges from 'poor' to 'good'. We also established a significant relationship between CPI, EFCI and ecological quality in various TCEs using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eliade invented the term 'hierophany' to refer to a physical manifestation of the sacred. For Eliade, all hierophanies are prefigurations of the one great manifestation, the incarnation of Christ. One can dispense with this limiting feature, and instead make use of Eliade's more tractable theory—namely, that hierophanies are composite structures, made up of elements in contradiction with each other. Here, the hierophany to be examined is a 'snake mound' that suddenly appeared in a residential structure in Jalaripet, a fishing caste village in southeastern India. This article argues that the mound is a response to mutually exclusive kinship ideals, one focused on patrilineal solidarity in the form of fraternal unity and the other focuses on fraternal separation and the breakdown of patrilineal solidarity. The mound represents both ideals at a particular moment in the course of family development when the opposition between the two is most intense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study exhibits a critical outlook on the poverty and livelihood vulnerability of the fisherman community in the context of persistent water pollution of the Churni River. The logistic regression model has identified eight factors influencing the poverty of the study area while the entropy weight method identifies the livelihood vulnerability of the fishermen. The livelihood vulnerability index of the upper stretch of the river is higher (0.65–0.67) compared to that of the lower stretch (0.46–0.57). The typical spatiality in poverty and livelihood vulnerability is triggered by the fragility of fishing livelihoods in the wake of lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), and higher BOD, COD, ammonia, nitrate and phosphate mainly due to industrial water pollution. For example, average DO ranges from 1.65 mg/l (upper stretch) to 2.50 mg/l (lower stretch) while the average BOD ranges from 5.44 mg/l (lower stretch) to 9.42 mg/l (upper stretch). This pollution induces acute ecological stress concerning declining fish diversity (from 41 to 16 fish species at the upper stretch and 41 to 23 fish species at the lower stretch during 1980–2018) as well as productivity of the existing fish species. Therefore, paralysed fishing economy and high dependency of the fishermen on the Churni River have forced them to revolve into the vicious cycle of poverty and enduring fragile livelihoods. Thus, the fishermen adopt few coping strategies like access to the nearby wetland for fishing, diversity in earning strategy and environmental movements against pollution to reduce the intensity of vulnerability. The present study would help the regional planners to frame the participatory plans for the sustainability of the riverine ecology and economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rivers are one of the prime sources of freshwater and act as the arteries of the Earth. While the growing pressure of meeting freshwater demands through extensive large and small-scale water infrastructures is indispensable, maintaining the river's natural flow is vital in sustaining the aquatic ecosystem harbored within it. Hence, it is essential to regulate the environmental flow for the sustainability of the rivers and their ecosystem management. This paper focused on analyzing the importance of maintaining the environmental flow by computing the degree of deviation in the river flow regime from the natural flow conditions. It used the Range of Variability Approach (RVA) to calculate the degree of deviation while also lending a special focus on the implications of altered river flow regime on the socio-economic activities especially fishing as a livelihood for the communities residing along the flanks of river Damodar in the downstream region. The daily discharge data measured during pre-and post-dam construction at the Durgapur barrage site of the lower Damodar river basin were used to compute the degree of alteration. It applied the convergent parallel mixed methodology to simultaneously analyse the qualitative responses and the quantitative data to effectively interpret the impact of altered environmental flow on the fishing livelihood of the communities. Thus, the analysis emphasized the importance of maintaining the environmental flow for ensuring the well-being of humans reliant on river systems. This shall also accentuate and contribute to the idea of balancing between development and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecomorphology and trophic ecology are considered important features in comprehending the feeding structure of fish communities. This study assesses the ecomorphological relationships among 45 fish species inhabiting the Eastern Himalayan torrential rivers, Murti and Jaldhaka by identifying morphological and trophic associations highlighted by prey acquisition strategies and the potential phylogenetic convergence among morphological traits. Two approaches (3‐guild and 5‐guild) were employed for evaluating the prediction accuracy of morphology in classifying the guilds. While the former was based on "troph" (dietary index) values, the later focussed on diet dissimilarity matrix. In terms of phylogenetic relatedness, traits such as caudal peduncle aspect ratio and mouth protrusion showed prominent phylogenetic signal which suggested their evolutionary convergence in certain groups. Subsequent modelling suggested that while linear discriminant model showed morphological traits to have higher accuracy (91.1%) in classifying the three guilds as compared to five guilds (72.31%), redundancy model (explaining 85.26% constrained variance) revealed a morphological association with specific prey type selection. Additionally, linear models showed substantial variation (93.72%) in the dietary index being addressed by the 5‐guild classification as compared to the 3‐guild (79.72%). Results suggested that in terms of prey composition or selectivity, the 5‐guild model was more suited in representing the feeding structure while the morphological traits reflected a broader scheme of classification (3‐guild model). Hence, this provides an ecological insight into the different modes of resource utilisation by the coexisting species which are being expressed in their differentiating morphologies, with certain traits being phylogenetically conserved within specific feeding groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The vulnerability indicators that affect fisheries and coastal households are identified. • A vulnerability assessment framework is piloted in fishing villages of a coastal district of Tamil Nadu, South India. • The decision matrix provided in this paper aids in identifying the drivers and buffers for coastal vulnerability. • This approach for location-specific intervention planning can be validated and used in other tropical coastal villages. The coastal communities are the most vulnerable to climate vagaries, which affect their habitat and livelihood alike. Vulnerability assessments undertaken using quantitative or qualitative methods at macro- or micro-level need to capture the location and context so as to be able to use them towards improving mitigation and resilience strategies at the community level, where the impact is felt. The characteristics of the marine fishing villages differ from those of other villages in any coastal block / district in a State, making a strong case for a marine village-specific vulnerability assessment as well as intervention planning. This work, capturing this grassroots reality and deriving vulnerability indicators that affect fisheries and coastal households, pilots a novel socio-economic vulnerability (SEVI PH) and cumulative vulnerability (CVI PH) framework in marine fishing villages of Thoothukudi, a coastal district of Tamil Nadu in India, and compares it with an existing framework (SEVI SV) that relies on secondary data. A set of 54 indicators reflecting vulnerability components such as exposure, sensitivity (fishery and social) and adaptive capacity (economic, development drivers and alternate livelihood activity) has been developed. Primary data were collected from 1741 households residing in all the 24 marine fishing villages in Thoothukudi district to estimate various sub-indices and indices of SEVI PH , SEVI SV and CVI PH. Significant differences (p < 0.01) in sensitivity index (SI) and adaptive capacity index (ACI) were observed among the fishing villages, which however, got masked at taluk and district level due to aggregation, underscoring the importance of household based village level assessment of vulnerability. Overall, 42 % of the fishing villages were socio-economically highly vulnerable, while about 71 % of the villages had high cumulative vulnerability index. While the overall social and economic status of fishing households were lower compared to non-fishing population, it could be ascertained that there was relatively less inequity among them. The study also found significant disparities and differences (p < 0.05) across the villages/taluks in terms of exposure, sensitivity as well as socio-economic capabilities to respond, adapt and develop resilience. The two dimensional decision matrix plotted against SI and ACI median threshold values presented a greater contrast and helped in identifying the key drivers (or contributing factors) and buffers (or ameliorating factors) for coastal vulnerability of marine fishing villages to aid in location-specific intervention planning. The study also highlighted the need for imparting need-based location-specific training programmes at the village and taluk level for vulnerability reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) has been used over the last decade to decipher trophic relationships between organisms, especially in freshwater and marine systems. Using SIA to understand food web patterns in stream communities, we present a first time investigation on trophic structure of fish communities from two ecoregions in eastern and central India. This study is based on pooled pre-monsoon samples from each region, which were analyzed for their isotopic carbon and nitrogen. Fish dietary data from secondary literature and available databases based on their known gut content analysis were included for calculating average food web lengths. Despite being located within the tropics and therefore from similar ecological and climatic conditions, subtle differences were observed in the food web shape and food web lengths of fish communities from the two regions. Food web length was longer in central Indian streams compared to eastern Indian streams. Higher trophic diversity and lower trophic redundancy among fishes of central India were indicative of specialized feeding. On the other hand, a greater utilization of diverse basal resources indicated feeding niche overlap and greater omnivory among fishes in eastern India. Benthopelagic fishes were found to be the largest guild and occupied the largest area as well as maximum carbon and nitrogen ranges. In addition to providing an understanding of the trophic patterns in tropical stream ecosystems, our work serves as a baseline for future studies on trophic structure in Indian stream fish communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of local knowledge of the fishing community about fish ethology and conservation of existing natural resources are investigated in this article. It explores the inextricably intertwined aspects and long-lasting constructive dependence of marine resources with a symbiotic relationship as critical components for integration with marine ecology. Lastly, the paper emphasizes the significance of local knowledge beliefs and systems which promote natural marine conservation methods for increased economic prosperity. The study focuses on the Telugu marine fishing community in South India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on how Female Heads of Households (FHHs) in a village in Cuddalore District, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, have tried to achieve their various well-being targets and overcome their vulnerabilities through engaging in fish trading and auctioning that in turn involves moving within and outside their village. The study is based on a three-week fieldwork undertaken in April and May 2017, including multiple methods, such as observations, village walks, informal discussions, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. We address how FHHs' well-being intersects with old vulnerabilities that are an inherent part of their fishing culture (caste, class and gender) and new vulnerabilities created due to precarities related to mechanized fishing, modernization and post-tsunami development. We found that the complex situation of vulnerability and precarity in the fishing sector have affected the material, relational, and subjective well-being of FHHs differently, benefitting some female auctioneers but not the majority of fish vendors. In particular, the mobility of younger FHHs was restricted due to familial and social expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the societal outcomes envisaged for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is a safe ocean where the safety of operations at sea and the coast are ensured. The Indian coast is prone to tropical cyclones, and the recent Ockhi, Gaja, Nilam, and Nivar cyclones devastated coastal Tamil Nadu in southern India, particularly the fishing community. This brought into focus the need to develop tools for the safety of fishermen at sea. A user-friendly application was developed named "Thoondil" (meaning fishing rod in the local language) by the National Centre for Coastal Research and made operational by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu. It comprises a web-GIS-based dashboard for the state administrators and an android application for the fishermen. The salient features of the mobile application include the compass, weather, rescue plan, offline maps that provide the route to the nearest ports, incidence reporting, weather details, and potential fishing zone. The Thoondil dashboard provides information about the users and travel details, and helps to get information about the fishermen at sea at any point of time. A two-way communication between the administrators and the fishing community is enabled. The system is available in vernacular language with more than 15,000 downloads in a couple of months. Based on user interactions, it has evolved as a pan-India application and currently replicated in Kozhikode, Kerala. The use of the app has reduced risk to the fishing community, especially during hazards and has also contributed to the resilience of the coastal fishing communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines livelihood strategies of fishers and youth in an urban fishing community in India. Situated next to the busiest fishing harbour in Karnataka, I show how proximity to the city provides fishers and youth broader occupational choices to diversify their livelihoods by intensifying or taking on several fisheries-based activities, moving into the service sector, or getting urban jobs. Urban conditions have largely influenced how fishers and youth decide their livelihood strategy. The article shows how the fishers and youth have employed livelihood diversification via both accumulation and risk management strategies. Due to the lack of analysis drawing on urban fisheries case studies, the narratives of small-scale fisheries have largely been based on rural contexts, which often portrait small-scale fishers as either inefficient or vulnerable. This study, however, allows us to open up existing small-scale fisheries narratives to view fishers as active agents. Therefore, this study calls for more systematic emphasis on studying urban implications in small-scale fishing communities with important repercussions for urban fishers and their livelihood strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The language and practice of Marine spatial planning (MSP) is typically associated with state-led multi-sectoral planning efforts. Yet in countries like India, where the government is not yet promoting MSP, ocean space has already been divided using principles and practices that are characteristic of MSP elsewhere in the world. Instead of being initiated by the state, these MSP-like processes are initiated by international agencies when industries seek large-scale development of India's marine ecosystems. Although intended as an inclusive, holistic process to plan industrial development, this assemblage of MSP technologies, processes, and practices mandated by international corporations produces a particular power relation through its rejection of local knowledge and insistence on data, for instance, in the form of discrete, geo-coded polygons. This paper argues that this form of MSP produces an ontological politics, despite emerging from seemingly rational, post-political, and technocratic processes. Engaging with such politics is increasingly possible with access to geographical information systems, and this, therefore, provides a novel space in which to engage in political struggle. The case of externally mandated MSP in India demonstrates that non-state actors can initiate MSP, and therefore, opens the possibility for fishing communities, as non-state actors, to directly engage with the assemblage of practices that produce MSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study on transformative adaptation to climate change is scarce despite its tremendous importance. This study assesses the transformative adaptation of fishery-based livelihoods of the Jamuna River in Bangladesh (a trans-boundary river called the Brahmaputra in India). Using interviews, focus group discussions and matrices data from two Jamuna River dependent fishing communities (Kalitola Ghat and Debdanga), this study found 80-91% fishers in both communities have been exposed to floods, storms and riverbank erosion affecting their livelihood capitals, activities, strategies and outcomes. This study identifies five transformative adaptations: migration, building concrete house, livelihood diversification, changes in fishing gear and techniques and tree plantation. In Kalitola Ghat, 57.3% and in Debdanga, 78% of fishers have migrated to safer places to minimise the adverse impacts of climatic hazards. To withstand the impacts of storms and floods, in Kalitola Ghat, 5% and in Debdanga, 6% of fishers have built concrete houses. More fishers of Kalitola Ghat (56%) have diversified their livelihoods than Debdanga counterparts (5%). Around 78% and 100% of fishers in Kalitola Ghat and Debdanga have changed their traditional fishing gear and techniques to overcome the impacts of climatic hazards. Traditionally, the fishing communities have coped with or adapted to the impacts of climate change which are not sufficient to maintain their sustainable livelihoods. The findings of this study allow identification of the measures that could help address the impacts of current and future climate change for the fishing communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas of the country are subjected to shoreline erosion due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Climate change-induced effects like sea level rise, extreme waves and increased storm activity exacerbate the erosion and causes the shoreline to retreat landwards. In India, mostly conventional concepts like sea walls and groins are used which protects the shoreline but cannot restore the lost beaches. This article discusses success stories of two novel concepts implemented for restoration of beach along the east coast of India -- Kadalur Periyakuppam, a fishing village with gentle slope and Puducherry with steep slope protected by seawall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foxnut (Euryale ferox) is considered an aquatic cash crop in India. It is one of the important states of India for the production of makhana. It is cultivated in several districts in North Bihar, where it is the main support for the livelihood of the poor people. Foxnut is mainly cultivated and processed by the fishing community. Studies on women in makhana production conducted in India and other countries concluded that women contribute far more to the production and processing. The involvements of women in growing foxnuts are impoverished and backward. Women with whole family members are occupied for generations and have acquired unique skills in processing which determines the quality of Makhana pop. Women also perform numerous labor-intensive activities such as weeding, collections, cleaning, drying, gradation, roasting, frying, popping, rubbing, storage and transportation. They also engaged in trading of guris and makhana pop and wages laborers for support in family income and livelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Understanding the factors associated with adaptation can be crucial for building community adaptive-capacity. This study aims to provide a country-level assessment of some of the factors driving adaptation responses in marine fishing, and is based on data from 2564 villages and 66 districts along the coastline of India. Mechanization, usage of Global Positioning System (GPS) and diversification are important adaptation responses in the community. This study employs an analytical framework to understand three types of factors influencing adaptation: vulnerability/risk, difference in the macro environment and community-level factors (human, economic and social capitals, such as education, poverty and cooperative membership). The results indicate that the different factors are not uniformly associated with the adaptation responses. Regions which are vulnerable and face greater cyclone risk have low adaptation. The macro-environment of the state as well as support through cooperatives can play a role in adaptation. The results also highlight the importance of higher levels of education for adaptation responses, such as, using advanced navigation technology (GPS) and diversifying into other professions. The study provides useful insights regarding the factors linked with adaptation responses in the community and can be helpful for designing interventions. The paper can complement findings from regional studies and emphasizes the need for future rigorous research on adaptation in marine fishing. Highlights • National-level assessment of adaptation in the Indian marine fishing community. • Vulnerable regions have not adopted advanced crafts. • Navigation systems are not adopted in cyclone risk zones. • Macro-environment can determine adaptation. • Higher levels of education important for using navigation system and diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices on oral hygiene status, dietary habits, and caries among fishing community in Kokilamedu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, and also to assess the presence of caries among fishermen. Materials and Methods: A dental camp was organized at Kokilamedu village (near Mahabalipuram). A thorough examination of oral cavity was done and the caries status was assessed using decayed, filled, and missing tooth index. Furthermore, a survey was conducted to assess their knowledge on oral care, dietary, and lifestyle habits and to check whether they are in any way associated with their caries status. Results: Among the 65 participants examined (40 males and 25 females), 44 participants (67.69%) were diagnosed with caries. The prevalence of dental caries was more among the subjects belonging to age groups 21–40 years and below 20 years. Their main source of diet was found to be seafood and meat. 65% of the study population were found to crave for sweets and consumed more sweets. Not even a single person, in the study population, had the knowledge about fluoride and its role in preventing caries. Conclusion: From this study, it has been found that there is a high prevalence of caries among the fishing community and this can be correlated with their diet, which mainly includes seafood and sweets. Awareness has to be created about fluoride and its role in preventing caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, electric rays are not targeted by fisheries but form a significant portion of bycatch. Little information exists about their ecology and biology. Fishers' traditional ecological knowledge can fill the knowledge gap for these historically data-deprived fishes. Hence, we assessed attitudes and perceptions of artisanal fishers towards electric rays' conservation. We gathered information on catch frequency, seasonality, population trends, post-capture usages, and socio-economic values through a semi-structured questionnaire survey. We interviewed 243 fishers at 15 artisanal villages in three states: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, along the east coast of India. The survey data was scrutinized, sorted into various categories: demographics, fisheries, and fishers' traditional knowledge, analysed and visualised as graphs and figures. We also presented qualitative information as general statements or quoted specific comments to better explain our findings. We found that fishers were well aware of electric rays and their electrical discharge. The data indicated that fishers knew the habitat in nearshore sandy bottoms. They get electric rays in their bottom-set gill nets. In general, December, January and February have high electric ray bycatch. Post-capture usage includes take-home consumption, discarding them dead, releasing them alive, and sell to poultry. Fishers discussed health benefits of electric rays' consumption. They perceived a downward trend in population due to anthropogenic influences: overfishing, pollution and climate change. Fishers' knowledge and scientific contributions can help develop management plans and conservation strategies. Initiating awareness campaigns within fishing communities and coastal citizens foster positive attitudes, thereby enhancing the electric rays' conservation. • We assessed fishers' traditional ecological knowledge on electric rays. • We collected key information on catch frequency, seasonality, population trends, and socio-economic values. • Fishers perceived downward trend in electric ray population due to anthropogenic influences. • Data will be useful to develop conservation strategies to protect the electric rays. • Our initiative of awareness camps is fostering a positive attitude along east coast of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most societies, as in India, small scale fishing and fish farming households are considered to be one of the most underprivileged and vulnerable groups. Micro finance programmes are seen as a means for these households to gain access to much needed credit services that are appropriate for their needs. Since women comprises of a significant proportion of such households, microfinance should serve as an effective tool to assist and empower women in fishing communities. This paper tries to analyze recent experiences with micro finance programmes in support of the coastal konkan fishing communities in India and draw conclusions with regard to best practices in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article is based on mixed-method field research in Adimalathura, a coastal village in south Kerala, India, which has been identified as one of the poorest communities in the area. Although this fishing community has been facing severe ecological challenges, including massive resource depletion, it has been able to put up stiff resistance to impending dispossession in the face of a large port project actively promoted by the government, most major political parties and globalized capital. This article traces the history of public action and work in Adimalathura since the early 20th century, and reflects on its significance in the context of the present resistance. It examines the role of women in bolstering the community in times of severe challenges to men's livelihoods, and highlights the importance of women's provisioning work. Ultimately, the author cautions against exaggerating community strength and the capacities of the women even when they are able to utilize available resources competently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assessed the socio-economic implications of climate change and vulnerability of fishing communities known as “Koli” living in Mumbai, India. The vulnerability indicators are derived from sustainable livelihood literature and use of multi-criteria analyses and are validated with expert opinions. A survey of two hundred fishermen from five fishing villages in Mumbai was conducted to collect data. The results demonstrate that vulnerability perpetuates due to physical and financial resource constraints among the fishing community. Fishermen from Madh and Worli villages are observed to be more vulnerable and less adaptive due to their inability to use efficient mechanized boats and advanced fishing implements, such as fish finders and GPS (Global Positioning System). The divergence in the vulnerability scores among fishing villages is attributed to the coping strategies, resource availability, knowledge and the benefit derived from the local government. Fishermen have been observing the negative impacts of climate change on their fishing livelihoods. Adaptation strategies to maximize fish catch are observed in such practices as targeting different species and fishing intensively for several days. However, these practices are leading to an imbalance in the common resource pool and biased resource sharing among different groups of fishermen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines cooperatives' role, contribution, and challenges for poverty reduction among small-scale fisher communities using the social capital approach. Social capital is being used as a popular and low-cost strategy for poverty reduction among marginalised communities. The study mainly covers the reflections of the small-scale fishers as experiential narratives on the role of cooperatives. The structures and processes of cooperatives in addressing the vulnerability and socio-economic development of small-scale fishers have been analysed in the study. The study conducted in fishing villages of Kerala, India, predominantly used a qualitative paradigm to understand how social capital favours cooperative membership and influences cooperatives' functioning to help fishers develop coping mechanisms as a poverty reduction strategy. The study finds the significance of cooperatives as a supplier of material and non-material resources, namely livelihood opportunities, credit support, protection from middlemen exploitation, awareness creation, and development of savings habits to cope with everyday challenges. At the same time, political authoritarianism, pre-conditioned criteria for cooperative membership, and power structures within the cooperatives mediated fisher's access to and utilisation of cooperative services. As a result, the influences mentioned above dampened the fishers cooperatives' images to promote voluntary participation, democratic management, and network building, which were the prime challenges identified in the functioning of cooperatives for poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast majority-70%-of the Indian population lives in rural areas. They are far removed from India's image as a society with an emerging middle class and well-regarded schools. This research focuses on education and opportunities for skill development for this rural population. The researchers investigated the area around the Chilika Lagoon, a rural region in the eastern state of Orissa, by interviewing fishing families about formal and nonformal education and informal learning activities, and by tracking their children's daily activities to determine educational levels, learning activities, and the demand for education and training. By interviewing students and educational experts from Indian Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), the researchers also investigated the accessibility and performance of self-help groups and of computer courses and other training programs for fishermen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is an attempt to derive the socio-economic implications of climate change and other environmental issues pertaining to fishing communities residing in and around Mumbai, India. A substantial number of populations in Mumbai city are the fishing communities, popularly known as 'Koli'. They are the earliest inhabitants of the city. Coastal cities are most productive as well as most vulnerable to environmental changes. They support a number of economic activities which include fishing, agriculture, urbanization, real estate, tourism, transport, oil exploration etc. As a result, the anthropogenic pressure on coastal cities is increasing. Koli communities in Mumbai encounter diverse socio-economic and climatic pressures including sea level rise, floods, storms, etc. The implications of climate change on Koli communities as well as other environmental issues pertaining to fishing villages in Mumbai are discussed in detail in this study. Five fishing villages from Mumbai are selected for a primary study based on a structured questionnaire. Nearly 200 households are surveyed in a period over six months in 2011-12, finally 182 households information is considered for further analysis. On the basis of the findings, this study suggests that issue of lack of asset formation and financial insecurity among young fishermen may be taken care by linking the fisheries societies in Mumbai and in other regions with the support from local governments. The benefits of subsidies, insurance may be distributed progressively based on their financial needs to all fishermen rather than benefiting the large scale fishermen alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries governance, in its broader sense, is a dynamic process where fishing communities and the society at large take careful decisions to allocate resources for sustaining the ecological, economic and social viability of fisheries. The Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework has been modified to suit to the empirical context of the study area and used in the analysis. The study analyses the interaction between various state and non-state governance institutions in detail and sketch how these institutional interactions bring forth effective socially acceptable solutions for the governance of modern marine fisheries along the South West coast of India. The study noted that involving non-state, community institutions at different levels is an essential process for the success of fisheries governance efforts in a small scale modern marine fishery that is operated by heterogeneous groups of fishers engaged in a wide array of fishing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how the politics of scale affect a process of dialogue led by civil society actors over fishing conflicts taking place at the local level in South Asia. The location is the Palk Bay and the fishers are Tamils from India and Sri Lanka. An agreement over fishing rights reached between these fishers in August 2010 remains largely unimplemented, but takes centre stage for this article, which examines the negotiation processes in terms of politics of scale and highlights the various difficulties encountered. Major pitfalls in a dialogue of this sort are the failure to recognise diversity within the population(s) involved and lack of recognition of the linkages of this population with other actors at different scales or levels. In a transboundary context, national and regional identities at times override local identity and interests, thereby making locally constructed solutions difficult, if not impossible, to implement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Invasion of lionfish Pterois volitans and other reef fishes in the Vellar estuary, Parangipettai (lat. 11°29'N, long. 79°46'E) southeast coast of India, is a cause of concern as it may affect the local fishing communities and the estuarine ecological conditions. The present study reveals the temporal variations in the abundance of the reef-inhabiting fishes in the different estuarine locations (oyster beds, mangroves and bridge). A total of 184 individuals of lionfish were captured from the three locations during April-September 2011. Different size groups were caught (total length 6.8-17.8 cm) throughout the sampling period and captured individuals were more (n = 164) near the mangroves and oyster beds, than those (n = 20) found near the man-made structure (bridge). Percentage capture of lionfish was higher during August. Other reefassociated fishes were also recorded and the family Acanthuridae (n = 51) was dominant and the remaining taxa were less abundant. Twelve prey taxa were identified through gut content analysis of lionfish that includes penaeids, non-penaeids and teleosts. The dominant taxa were found to be the shrimps, indicating the colonization of lionfish in newer but natural habitat as feeding ground. The human-driven changes may facilitate the successful intrusion of reef fishes in the estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted along the upper Ganges River between Narora barrages and Anupshahar from January to June 2007. Community interviews were conducted in order to assess the socio-economic profile of the fishermen community, their level of dependence on the river and their attitude towards the conservation of Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica. The estimated literacy rate from interviews was 45%, and average annual income per household was 27,000 INR (Indian National Rupee). The respondents were found to be well aware of the river biodiversity and believed excessive water extraction and pollution to be the responsible for any perceived decline in the dolphin population. About 55% of the fishermen were found to fish for commercial purposes, and a majority of them (71%) used nylon gill-nets. A majority (94%) of respondents that had boats of their own fished in the middle of the river, an activity often conducted in groups. 12% of respondents reported to have encountered dolphin carcasses. Excessive fishing and dolphin poaching were found to be interrelated; if fishing can be more effectively managed poaching may automatically decline. 41% of the fishermen interviewed were found to be willing to stop fishing providing adequate alternative livelihoods are provided by the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of physical growth pattern and nutritional status of children and adolescents in communities are important components of measuring social development. The importance of such assessments in the marginalized communities is greater since these are generally at the heavier risk of growth and nutrition deficits. Obviously, the public health agenda should focus on improving such a scenario. Although, there have been many studies in India, on physical growth and nutritional status of children and adolescents in communities at different socioeconomic levels, such studies among the fishing communities in the coastal areas of West Bengal and Orissa are virtually lacking. The present study is purported to examine the pattern of physical growth of children and adolescents as well as to assess their nutritional status, in terms of anthropometric measures, among a marginalized social group, mainly engaged in sea fishing as a vocation. Anthropometric (height and weight) data were collected from 468 individuals of both sexes. The study participants include 257 males and 211 females aged 5+ years to 18+ years inhabiting nine contiguous villages in Digha and its neighbourhood. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that the growth pattern of the children and adolescents of both sexes is relatively slow compared with another fishing community in Andhra Pradesh. The prevalence of malnutrition, as gauged through weight-for-age and height-for-age, is quite high in the study population irrespective of sex. It appears that this marginalized community needs appropriate support in the domains of health and nutrition programmes in an effective manner so that the health of the children and adolescents can be better managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is an attempt to examine the Koli fishermen, a fishing community of Maharashtra, in the specific eco-cultural surroundings of their traditional maritime environment. The enquiry has been centered on primarily to an understanding of their traditional knowledge system pertaining to the management of sea resource. The study was conducted at Alibag, a small coastal fishing town on Arabian Sea in the Raigarh district of Maharashtra. The Kolls possess a unique knowledge of their immediate environment, sea topography and fish behaviour which is classified as their cognitive taxonomic categories. Social organisation of fishing and division of labour in fishing are suitably adjusted to their specific nature of marine fishing methods and techniques for getting optimum result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas of Orissa State in the northeastern part of the Indian peninsula are potentially vulnerable to accelerated erosion hazard. Along the 480-km coastline, most of the coastal areas, including tourist resorts, hotels, fishing villages, and towns, are already threatened by recurring storm flood events and severe coastal erosion. The coastal habitats, namely the largest rookeries in the world for olive Ridley sea turtles (the extensive sandy beaches of Gahirmatha and Rushikulya), Asia's largest brackish water lagoon (the ''Chilika''), extensive mangrove cover of Bhitarkanika (the wildlife sanctuary), the estuarine systems, and deltaic plains are no exception. .The present study therefore is an attempt to develop a coastal vulnerability index (CVI) for the maritime state of Orissa using eight relative risk variables. Most of these parameters are dynamic in nature and require a large amount of data from different sources. In some cases, the base data is from remote sensing satellites; for others it is either from long-term in situ measurements or from numerical models. Zones of vulnerability to coastal natural hazards of different magnitude (high, medium, and low) are identified and shown on a map. In earlier studies, tidal range was assumed to include both permanent and episodic inundation hazards. However, the mean of the long-term tidal records tends to dampen the effect of episodic inundation hazards such as tsunamis. For this reason, in the present study, tsunami run-up has been considered as an additional physical process parameter to calculate the CVI. Coastal regional elevation has also been considered as an additional important variable. This is the first such study that has been undertaken for a part of the Indian coastline. The map prepared for the Orissa coast under this study can be used by the state and district administration involved in the disaster mitigation and management plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study which describes the functioning of a fishing village at Kameshwaram in Napatnam District, India after the tsunami. It says that the experiences of the village before and after the tsunami were outlined. It mentions what has been learned from the rehabilitation including boats ownership is within families, lack of base line village information, and over crowding of boats within the stretch which results to damages during rough seas.

The article focuses on the architectural drawing of ridges under the Worli Fort Project based on a peninsula on the western edge of Mumbai, India between a bay and the open seas. Topics discussed include the ridge which is inscribed by the movements of a fishing community; project articulates to build economies and relationships between the people of the Worli and visitors to the Worli Fort; and monsoon landscape architecture of the ridge.

This paper examines the continuity and change in the governance of inland fisheries in Kerala. It analyses the transformations taking place in riverine fisheries management due to social, technological, and policy changes. Further, it discusses the significance of contextual factors in the sustainable management of riverine fisheries. The findings of this paper show that contextual factors such as family structure, technological changes, intervention by state government, market, and resource scarcity have significantly influenced sustainable fishing practices. Exploring the dynamics of norms and sanctions that facilitate sustainable resource use, this paper also signifies the limitations of static models of institutions in natural resource management. This paper is based on ethnographic fieldwork among two fishing communities along the Pamba-Achankovil River basin in Kerala, South India. Interview guides and focused group discussion were the primary tools of data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the habitat suitability of three selected reaches of the Mathabhanga-Churni River in the wake of the declining river regime and escalating river water pollution. The study portrays the habitat degradation through the lens of the habitat suitability index (HSI) model based on four water quality (turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature), three reproduction (pool velocity, riffle velocity, and riffle depth), and two food and cover (percentage vegetation cover and percentage pool) variables. Among the water quality variables, depletion in DO (0.4 mg/L) has become the most significant factor for fish habitat degradation. Reach-specific study of HSI reveals high habitat degradation for reach1 (RE1) and reach 2 (RE2) compared to reach 3 (RE3). The seasonality in HSI has also been reflected for all the study reaches. The value of HSI at RE1 depicts that 97.67% of samples of pre-monsoon season belong to the poor habitat category. Moreover, the study of fish species also reveals that the diversity and productivity have declined at a faster rate for RE1 and RE2 compared to RE3. For example, 29, 28, and 21 fish species have disappeared from RE1, RE2, and RE3 respectively since 1983. This typical habitat degradation is induced by lowering of discharge due to longitudinal disconnection of the Mathabhanga-Churni River from the Padma River due to the eastward tilting of the Bengal delta. Moreover, anthropogenic pollution such as discharge of industrial effluents, mixing of municipal sewage, pollutants from agricultural runoff are found to exacerbate habitat degradation. Finally, the study indicates few ways to restore the degraded fish habitat of the river. [Display omitted] • Habitat suitability is assessed in terms of water quality, reproduction and cover indicators. • Pre-monsoon season exhibits the poor habitat compared to the monsoon and post-monsoon. • The lower reach depicts good fish diversity and productivity compared to upper reach. • A significant lowering of discharge, industrial water pollution and urban sewage drive habitat degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores and analyses how local ecological knowledge as a component of culture facilitates sustainable resource management practices among riverine fishing communities in Kerala, India. The paper is based on a comparative ethnographic analysis between a heterogeneous fishing village and a homogeneous fishing village within the Pamba-Achankovil River Basin. Key observations from analysis show that various groups of fishermen give emphasis to different knowledge spheres based on the nature of the resources and the type of fishing gear they are familiar with. Local knowledge among the fishing communities plays a crucial role in the sustainable management of fishery resources. However, this local knowledge serves the purpose of sustainable resource management only when it is supplemented by the other components of culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small wooden raft—the kattumaram—is still very prominent among fishing communities on the east coast of India. The goal of this study is to describe this traditional fishing raft, focusing on the description of constructional changes. The essentials of terminology, conditions of production, propulsion techniques, and crewing, as well as equipment and the spread and usage are described. Moreover one other, more modern, raft-type and a fibre-boat are presented here, because they are closely related to the kattumaram. © 2007 The Author [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about the tragic journeys and livelihood insecurities of coastal fisherfolk of India and Sri Lanka, who are arrested and jailed by these countries for having entered each other's arenas. These fisherfolk are victims of defined and undefined boundaries in the seas, and increasing conflicts over renewable resources. The article questions the cartographic and border anxieties of these countries, which come into fundamental contradiction with the lives, livelihoods and desires of the majority of coastal fisherfolk, who are short-term migratory subjects on an everyday basis. They are constantly subjected to categories such as insider and outsider, safety and danger, domestic and foreign, self and other. At the same time, the article reveals how these fishing communities themselves mark an ambiguous space, located as they are on the margins of the two countries, thereby providing emancipatory possibilities that can emerge from the spatial freedoms which they have practised. However, there are also some contradictory voices. Some of these fisherfolk are articulating the very same language which is used to suppress them. In attempting to highlight these complexities, the article widens our definitions of migrations, diasporas, and transnational subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to analyse the social interface between formal institutions and local fishing communities along the Pamba-Achankovil River Basin in Kerala, India. It examines primarily the nature of the relationship between state agencies and traditional fishing communities in the context of (i) enforcing certain formal regulations of resource use and (ii) implementing resource enhancement programmes. The article also analyses the nature of social interfaces that emerge when local level formal organizations, such as cooperatives and gram panchayats, take up resource management or community welfare schemes on behalf of the traditional fisherfolk in the study region. Social interfaces can be understood in terms of social processes, such as cooperation, accommodation and conflicts between various actors involved in fisheries management. The article is based on ethnographic fieldwork. Interview guides and focus group discussions were the primary tools of data collection. The findings show that the relationships between formal institutions and traditional riverine fishing communities lack mutual trust. Conflicts between fishing communities and state agencies emerge when the formal institutions threaten or contradict those elements of local culture that sustain livelihood needs. Conflicts and discontent with a particular formal institution can also lead to the modification or violation of coexisting institutional arrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]