Socio-economic Analysis of the Fishermen of India

Fishing is detected as an activity from the Stone Age and is now considered as a profession of a substantial number of people. Fishermen are engaged in farming or procurement of fish from water sources. 3/4th of Earth's surface consist of water making it a gigantic source of marine resources. Fishing industry has proved to be a contributing sector of GDP and employment as well. Indian fishing industry contributes about 6.3% of global fish production as well as 1.1% of Indian GDP and 5.15% of agricultural GDP. Marine fisheries sector forms the source of livelihood for over 7 million traditional fishermen inhabiting about 3,600 coastal fishing villages situated along the country's coastal belt besides providing direct and indirect employment for several million people in fishing, processing, trading and ancillary activities. Against this backdrop the present study is undertaken to critically observe the economic status of fishermen in north-eastern coastal region in general and West Bengal in particular.The study reveals the depleted plight of fishermen of north-eastern coastal regions of India and it advocates necessary policy interventions from Govt for ensuring inclusive growth.