STUDY ON THE FISHER-WOMEN OF DHANUSHKODI AND THEIR LIVELIHOOD IN MARINE CAPTURE FISHERIES

Dhanushkodi (9°10'45.7392 N,79°25'6.0348 E),a small fishing village which is located at the southeastern tip of Pamban Island in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu includes hamlets of Old Harbour, Muguntharayar Chathiram, Kambi Paadu). About 150-200 artisanal fishing families are engaged in different fishing practices along the coast. The fishers in the study area are exploiting the fishery resources through the operation of motorized (Vallam) and non-motorized crafts (Vathai) and also shore seines (Karaivalai and Olaivalai). The size of the motorized crafts size ranges from 32 to 36ft, while the non-motorized are 8 to 32ft. Moreover, Vallams are fitted with inboard diesel engine (10-20 Hp) and FRP boats with outboard motors. Contrary to the above, Vathais are propelled by sail and paddles and shore seines are operated thought the year along the coast of Dhanushkodi stretched in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar. Every year, the peak fishing season for squid jigging is observed from October to December and for other fishing gears, it is from January to June in the PalkBay. Habitually, fisherwomen in artisanal fishing communities are considered important and responsible for the skilled and time consuming onshore activities like sorting, grading, marketing and other allied activities like net mending and processing, but in operation of shore seine fisherwomen engaged fulltime. Similarly, the fisherwomen of the study area are involved in various off shore fishing and fishery related activities, generating additional income to the households. Apart from this, being a tourist spot, fisherwomen are also engaged in various alternate livelihood business as petty shop, fresh fruit shop, hotels, shell ornaments which are discussed in detail in the paper. The study clearly indicates that the crafts and gears used along Dhanushkodi vary by seasons, resources and operation of more non-mechanised crafts leads to sustainability of fishery resources, ensuring the reduced vulnerability.