A case study of Orissa, India.

Academic Paper from the year 2017 in the subject Economics - Foreign Trade Theory, Trade Policy, , language: English, abstract: Marine products industry alone has a share of at least 6 per cent in world exports in which India is the fourth largest exporting country after China, Peru and Japan. In fact, out of 7.85 million tonnes (mt) of overall fish production of India, roughly 43 per cent is contributed by the marine sector though it turns out to be less than half to that of India’s major competitors in fish trade. Marine products exports play a pivotal role in Indian economy in terms of employment and income generation besides valuable foreign exchange earnings. They have created a huge demand in international trade and are acclaimed to be one of the fastest moving commodities in the world food market. China, Thailand, Vietnam, Chile, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Peru and South Korea are the main sea-food exporters comprising more than 60 per cent of trade value of marine products. In general, 38 per cent (live weight equivalent) of total fisheries product is traded internationally. But with only 20 per cent of its total fish production entering world trade, Indian seafood exports are far below than the global average. Fortunately, India’s vast coastline of 8,129 km stretching almost two-thirds of the country and encompassing an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of more than 2.2 million sq. km. offers sufficient surplus of fish and fishery products, which is currently under-exploited. As of 2015-16, marine products with export earnings crossing Rs. 30,420 crores constituted 21 per cent of the total agricultural exports from India which in turn was 1.2 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and 4.72 per cent of its Agri-GDP.

Anthropological studies of marine fishermen have explored immense diversity among fishing societies, and the management strategies of marine resources in the context of globalization and changing technologies deserve the utmost attention from researchers in an uncertain economy. In India, fishing communities belong to various different castes and religions. This book presents an anthropological study of Hindu marine fishermen in two neighboring fishing villages situated in the same coastal belt, but administered by two different state governments (Kerala and Pondicherry). It explores the ways in which state interventions influence the development paradigm of a marginalized society like marine fishermen, and discusses the distribution pattern of production systems and its significance at the household level. The book also considers the gendered forms of economic transformation in fishing due to declining marine resources, and technological and climate change. It also focuses on the role of women fish vendors in market spaces as instituted by their distribution and credit connections and the unique experiences of the development process through anxieties, compromises and survival in an uncertain economy. The book will be of interest to researchers, administrators and NGOs working for the inclusive development of marginalized communities sharing common property resources.

Fluctuations and declines in marine fish populations have caused growing concern among marine scientists, fisheries managers, commercial and recreational fishers, and the public. Sustaining Marine Fisheries explores the nature of marine ecosystems and the complex interacting factors that shape their productivity. The book documents the condition of marine fisheries today, highlighting species and geographic areas that are under particular stress. Challenges to achieving sustainability are discussed, and shortcomings of existing fisheries management and regulation are examined. The volume calls for fisheries management to adopt a broader ecosystem perspective that encompasses all relevant environmental and human influences. Sustaining Marine Fisheries offers new approaches to building workable fisheries management institutions, improving scientific data, and developing management tools. The book recommends ways to change current practices that encourage overexploitation of fish resources. It will be of special interest to marine policymakers and ecologists, fisheries regulators and managers, fisheries scientists and marine ecologists, fishers, and concerned individuals.