CHAPTER IV MARINE FISHING SYSTEM IN TAMIL NADU

Transcription

1 109 CHAPTER IV MARINE FISHING SYSTEM IN TAMIL NADU The Planning and the pubhc pohcy on fishery have tremendously improved this sector in the State. Input supply programme, creation of infrastructure and fishery policies in the Plans have contributed well in the marine fishery development of the State. Technology, marketing and export potential of marine fish resources have significantly added in the progress of this sector. Fourth chapter deals with marine fishing in Tamil Nadu. In this chapter, marine fishery resources in Tamil Nadu, fish production, marketing of fish, export of fish, institutions in fisheries, Government Policy, methods of fishing and other details in fishing based on secondary data are presented. MARINE FISHERY RESOURCES IN TAMIL NADU The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal together account for about 3 percent of the world oceanic area, but receive close to 9 percent of global river run off. This relatively large fresh water input modulates some important features of the Northern Indian Ocean. The physical, biological and chemical conditions are unique to our seas.^ Table 4.1 gives the details of State wise marine fishery resources in India. Andaman and Nicobar Island ' GOVERNMENT OF EsIDIA, Vision for Ocean Development Year, 2015.

2 110 has a vast coastal area of 1912 kms, followed by Gujarat (1600 kms.), Tamil Nadu (1076 kms.) etc. Table 4.1 State Wise Marine Fishery Resources in India SI. No State/Union Territory Approximate length of coast line (kms) Continental shelf (000 sq. km) No. of Landing centres No. of fishing villages 1 Andhra Pradesh Goa Gujarat Kamataka Kerala Maharashtra Orissa Tamil Nadu West Bengal Andaman & Nicobar Island Daman & Diu Lakshadweep Pondicherry Total Source: Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Fishery, 2003.

3 Ill In India, the continental projection extends up to 41,412 km with 23,255 km being up to 50m depths and 18,157 km between m depths.^ The range is of 0 to 20 meters, 7,197 meters in the range of 20 to 50 meters and 50 to 200 meters. Its width varies from 40 to 60 kilometers with an average of 43 kilometers. The gradient is high on the Coromandel Coast and the Gulf of Mannar and low in the Palk Bay. In our country, the Wedge Bank, situated near Colachel in Kanyakumari, is an important fishing ground."* MPEDA has classified the coastal regions in Tamil Nadu into four zones :^ 1. COROMANDEL COAST This coast is from Kodiakkarai in Thanjavur district in the South, to North of Madras. Surf-beaten coasts, interspersed with coral reefs. The Coromandel Coast scattered in the districts of Madras, Chinglepet (Kanjipuram), Thanjavur, Thiruvallore, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore. The total length of this coast is 350 kms. As shown in Table 4.1 GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, Annual Fisheries Statistics , Department of Fishery, FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION, op.cit., p 2. PAZHANI K. Marine Fisheries Finance in Kanyakumari District- An Economic Study, Ph.D. Thesis abstract, M.S.University, Tirunelveli (unpublished), MPEDA. Expert Potential Survey of Marine Products in Tamil Nadu, MPEDA, India, 1978.

4 PALK BAY The Palk Bay ranges from Pamban in Ramanathapuram district to Kodiakkarai in Thanjavur district. This area characterised with sandy shallows with intermittent muddy stretches and coral reefs. The Palk Bay region covers the district of Pudukkottai, Thanjavur and parts of Ramanathapuram. The total length of this coast is 270 kms. As shown in Table GULF OF MANNAR The Gulf of Mannar comprises Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, a portion of Ramanathapuram and the bifurcated district of Tuticorin, with the coast stretching upto Pamban. There is a chain of islands, which stretch intermittently parallel with the coast from Pamban to Thiruchendur in the Tirunelvelli and Tuticorin Districts. Sometimes, as at Thiruchendur and Pamban, the islands are close to the shore to form true harbours of refuge. In other places as at Kilakarai, the islets approach each other sufficiently close on the seaward side as to form an effective breakwater parallel with the shore. In the Tirunelveli coast, the chain of coral reefs has certain pronounced gaps. There are rocky patches found in depths varying from 7 to 40 fathoms in the Gulf of Mannar region and up to 60 fathoms particularly in Kanya Kumari District. For reaching the rocky areas for perches, sometimes the fishermen have to cover a minimum distance of 60 km from the shore. The total length of this coast is 320 kms. As shown in Table 4.1

5 WEST COAST Kanyakumari District covers the 60 km of the west coast of Tamil Nadu. The state of Pondicherry, with a coastline of approx. 50 km with 24 fishing villages, falls in the Coromandel Coast zone, and shares all the features of the fishing systems and practices as the neighbouring parts of Tamil Nadu. The total length of this coast is 60 kms. As shown in Table 4.1 Table 4.2 District-wise Coastal Length of Tamil Nadu (in kms.) SI. No Name of the District Coromandel Palk Bay Gulf of Mannar West Coast Total 1 Chennai 22 ~ 22 2 Thiruvallur 50 ~ 50 3 Kanchipuram 87 ~ ~ 87 4 Villupuram ~ 5 Cuddalore 89 ~ 89 6 Nagai&Thiruvarur Thanjavur Pudukkottai 42 ~ 42 9 Ramanathapuram ~ ~ Tuticorin ~ Tirunelveli 50 ~ Kanyakumari Total Source: DOF, 1999, Fisheries Statistics of Tamil Nadu , p.5. 68

6 114 The important marine species available in the State are given in the Table 4.3. The major sources of marine fish of demurral type in the Coromandel Coast are Ribbon fish, Silver bellies and Shrimp, while Pelagic are Sardines, Anchovies, Flying fish, Tuna, Mackerel and Seer fish. In Palk Bay, the demurral types are Silver bellies and pelagic are Sardines and Seer fish. Demurral type of in the Gulf of Mannar is Perches and Silver bellies and pelagic are Sardines, Anchovies and Tuna. In Wedge Bank, only demurral types of Shrimp, Deep Sea Shrimp and Lobster fish are available. Table 4.3 Marine species in Tamil Nadu SI. No. Marine sources Demersal Pelagic 1 Coromandal Ribbon fish, Sardines, Anchovies, Flying coast Silver bellies and fish, Tuna, Mackerel and Seer Shrimp fish 2 Palk Bay Silver bellies Sardines and Seer fish 3 Gulf of Perches and Silver Sardines, Anchovies and Mannar bellies Tuna 4 Wedge Bank Shrimp, Deep sea Shrimp and Lobster Source: FAO, Marine Small- Scale Fisheries of Tamil Nadu: A General Description (Bay of Bengal Programme, Madras, 1983).

7 115 FISH PRODUCTION ndia occupies sixth rank in the top ten fish producing countries, but in th fish consumption India is ranked 136 position Table 4.4 Estimated Marine Fish Production - Craft Wise by Districts (In Tonnes) SI. No. District Mechanised Marine Fish Non- Mechanised Motorised Shore seine Total 1. Chennai Kancheepuram Tiruvallur Cuddalore Villupuram Thanjavur Nagapattinam 8. Tiruvarur Pudukkottai Ramanathapuram Thoothukudi Tirunelveli Kanniyakumari Total Source: Commissioner of Fisheries, Chennai-6 NAMBIAR, K.R.P., "Food Fish Scarcity-An Impending Reality", Seafood Export Journal, Seafood Exporters Association of India, Cochin, Volume XXVII, No.2, February 1996, p 25.

8 116 Table 4.4 shows that in Tamil Nadu 13 Dictricts have the potential for marine fishing. Mechanised, Non-Mechanised, Motorised and Shore seine are the four major crafts used by the Tamil Nadu fishermen. In the total marine fish production, tonnes the highest output of marine fishing comes from mechanized fishing than the other three crafts. Ramanathapuram District occupied the first place in the fish production with tonnes during The other Districts that follow these marks were Nagapattinam, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai and Kanniyakumari. In mechanized marine fishing Ramanathapuram District stands number one with tonnes in , while in the case of non-mechanized Kanniyakumari District occupies the first place with tonnes.

9 117 Table 4.5 Estimated Marine Fish Production - Craft Wise by Districts (in Tonnes) SI. No District Mechanised Non Mechanised Marine Fish Motorised Shoreseine Total 1. Chennai Kancheepuram Tiruvallur Cuddalore Villupuram Thanjavur Nagapattinam Timvarur 9. Pudukkottai Ramanathapuram Thoothukudi Tirunelveli Kanniyakumari TOTAL Source: Commissioner of Fisheries, Chennai-6, 2002.

10 118 Table 4.5 portrays that the total marine fish production was tonnes in When compared to the previous year the fish production was more by 9402 tonnes. Ramanathapuram District occupied the first place in the fish production with tonnes during In nonmechanised also Ramanathapuram District recoded a marked high level of tonnes. The mechanized fish production was more than nonmechanised and other types of crafts as shown in table 4.3. Chart 4.1 gives the details of marine fish production craft wise in

11 119 Graph 4.1 Estimated Marine Fish Production Craft Wise by Districts in Tamil Nadu ( ) 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% /,^^ ^O^ ^o^^,*<^.o^,?.<^ o^* / S-^^ N>' / o^ / ^^-'^ of y..^ / y / y </y vt^^ I Mechanised Non Mechanised nmotorised

12 120 Table 4.6 Total Fish Production in India and Tamil Nadu (in lakh tonnes) SI. No Year Tamil Nadu India Source: 1. Tamil Nadu An Economic Appraisal, Government of Tamil Nadu, Economic Survey, Government of India,

13 121 A comparative total fish production in Tamil Nadu and India is presented in Table 4.6. In Tamil Nadu, the total marine fish production was 3.96 lakh tones in and fi^om which it decreased to 3.74 tonnes in and the growth rate is percent. The declining trend in the marine fish production is due to monsoon conditions. However, in the marine fish production reached a peak level of 4.49 lakh tonnes. On the other hand the marine fish production for the entire economy showed an increasing trend for tonnes in to tonnes in and the growth rate is percent over the years. Chart 4.2 shows the clear condition of marine fish production in India and Tamil Nadu from to Table 4.7 shows that the mean marine fish production in Tamil Nadu is 3.88 and it is in India. The standard deviation of marine fish production of India is more than that of Tamil Nadu. The Mean value of fish production is more than the Median and Mode. Therefore, the distribution is asymmetrical. The values of skewness are more to the marine fish production of Tamil Nadu ( ) than India ( ).

14 122 Graph 4.2 Total Fish Production in India and Tamil Nadu (in lakh tonnes) 60-r bu U 1 10 ' SC SI Tamil Nadu India

15 123 Table 4.7 Statistical Analysis of the Total Fish Production in India and Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu India Statistic Values Statistic Values Mean Mean Standard Error Standard Error Median Median Mode 3.74 Mode #N/A Standard Deviation Standard Deviation Sample Variance Sample Variance Kurtosis Kurtosis Skewness Skewness Range 0.98 Range Minimum 3.51 Minimum Maximum 4.49 Maximum Sum Sum Count 22 Count 22 Source: Computed by the researcher

16 124 Fishery development in Tamil Nadu is presented in Table 4.8. The total coastal line of the State 1076 Km. There are 591 marine fishing villages spread over in 13 Districts of the State. Marine fish production was tonnes in In the State here are 249 fisheries development infrastructure, of which the 75 Sea food manufacturing Exporters and 89 cold storage and walk in cooler (Government 2 numbers and private 87 numbers). There are six marine fishing training centres and no inland fishing centres in Tamil Nadu. The total marine fishermen population was and inland fishermen population was Table 4.9 presents the specie wise fish production in Tamil Nadu. Among the species the specific varieties with highest record were Lesser Sardines tonnes, Perches tonnes, Silver bellies tonnes. Mackerel tonnes, Penaeid Prawns tonnes, Crabs tonnes, other fishes tonnes, Caranx tonnes. Skates & Rays tonnes etc.

17 125 Table 4.8 Fisheries Development in Tamil Nadu during AREA a. Total coastal line of the State Km 1076 b. (i) Inland Fresh Water spread Area Hectare (ii) Estuaries Brackish water Area - Hectare (iii) Total area (I + ii) c. Marine Fishing Villages No FISH PRODUCTION a. Marine i) Quantity (Tonne) ii) Value (Rs. in Lakhs) b. Inland i) Quantity (Tonne) ii) Value (Rs. in lakhs) NA 3. FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT No. Capacity / Day a) Freezing Plants (Processing Plants) i) Government 3 ii) Private b) Ice Plants i) Government 6 ii) Private

18 126 c) Cold Storage, Walk in Cooler i) Government 2 ii) Private d) Sea food manufacturing Exporter 75 e) Sea food merchant Exporter 249 ~ 4 FISHERIES TRAINING CENTRE i) Marine No 6 ii) Inland No - 5 FISHING VESSELS i) Mechanised Boats No ii) Country crafts (Vallams) No iii) Catamarans No ACTIVE FISHERMAN i) Marine No ii) Inland No FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS EXPORT i) Quantity MT ii) Value (Rs. in Crores) Source: Commissioner of Fisheries, Chennai and Director of Marine Products Export Development Authority, Chennai, 2003.

19 127 Table 4.9 Species-wise Total Fish Production in Tamil Nadu (tonnes) Name of Fish Total Percentage a) Sharks b) Skates & Rays Eels Cat fishes Chirocentrus a) Oil Sardines b)lesser Sardines c)hilsa Ilisha d)achoviella e)thrissocles f) Other Clupeids Bombay Duck Saurida & Saurus Hemirhamphus & belone Flying Fish Perches Red Mullets Polynemids Sciaenids Ribbon fish Caranx Chorenemus

20 128 Other Carangids Elacate Silverbellies Lactarius Pomfrets Mackerel Seer Tunnies Sph>Teana 3704 Mugil 397 Soles 3616 a) Penaeid Prawns b) Non Penaeid Prawns 5325 Other Cmstanceans 0 i) Lobsters 141] ii) Crabs Cehalopods 7708 Miscellaneous Lethrinus 8262 Silago 2252 Bregmaceres 1104 Ora 263 Spotted Dory Total Source: DOF, Fisheries Statistics of Tamil Nadu, 1999.

21 129 MARKETING OF FISH In the marketing of marine fish the distributors and traders found in the coastal areas of the State. They are Fishermen's assistants, Headloaders, Poor people collecting fish, Money lenders, Auctioneers, Boat owners, Companies or Exporters, Agents, Tricycle and auto-rickshaw owners and operators. Cycle or moped traders. Petty traders, and Fish collectors. The agents and others in the marketing of fish in bulk procure at a cheaper rate. Therefore, in the marketing the role of women is remarkable. They involve themselves in fish handling, including sorting, grading, weighing, gutting, icing, drying and processing, and marketing: as agents, auctioneers, retail stall holders and itinerant stall holders. They take part in the fish auction, buy fish and later take it to the market to sell it. The role each of them is summarized below: Player Role Fishermen's assistants Mainly the wives of the fishermen, involved in helping the fishers remove their catches from the nets for sale after landing. No payment is involved. Headloaders Carry fish from the landing centres to the auctioning site, from auction to godowns or to transport systems. Some of them come from nonfishing communities.

22 130 Poor people collecting Extremely poor people who collect fish fi^om fish fishers either for fi-ee or in a barter system involving sweetmeats etc., and either sell the fish for money or use them for domestic consumption. Large numbers of such people are prevalent in most of the landing centres visited during the study. Money lenders Lend money for business and personal purposes to the fishers and traders. Some moneylenders are only involved in money-lending activities, while others are also involved in fish trade. Auctioneers Auction catches which are landed. In traditional fish landing centres, in places like Chennai, it is exclusively women who act as auctioneers, in some others it is only men. Some auctioneers were also moneylenders. Boat owners Owned different size boats, possible driver cum owner. Operating in major mechanised vessel landing centres. Companies/Exporters Buyers of fresh fish from the port/landing centre for export or sale within the country (lookms)

23 131 Agents Act on behalf of buyers of fresh/dry fish. Accumulate economic lots to be sent elsewhere. Some agents buy in bulk and retail to cycle/moped traders on credit. Tricycle and auto- Hired by the fishers for transporting fish to the rickshaw owners and wholesale and retail markets. operators Cycle/moped traders Buy from the landing centre and sell in markets in and around the site (up to 50 km away). Generally not from the fishing caste. Petty traders (headload) Buy and sell fish (fresh and dry) within 30 km of the site, mostly women, coming from the fishing caste itself Fish collectors Appointed by the Commission Agents, they are paid employees for taking care of collection, storage and transport of the catches from the villages too difficult for the Agent to access on a regular basis. Could be men or women, almost all of them are from non-fishing communities. Source: The "Changing Fish UtiHsation and its Impact on Poverty in India" project is fiinded by the UK Government's Department for International Development's (DFID), 2003.

24 132 With all that the feeling of the consumer is that they get only lowpriced varieties of fish and prawn were sold, as the more expensive ones were all directly exported. EXPORT OF FISH The marine products in Tamil Nadu have shown consistently improved performance in overseas markets in view of the high quality. Exports of marine products have maintained a steady growth and provisional figures indicate that our exports have crossed US$ 1.4 billion in the period ending March The global demand for Indian Seafood and also its contributions to the economy, the Tenth Plan target for export earning from fish and fishery products should be targeted at about US $ 2.5 billion. Table 4.8 gives the exports of marine fish production in Tamil Nadu from to Table 4.9 portrays that the exports of fish and fishery products has increased from 6751 tonnes in to tonnes in The growth rate is percent which is remarkable achievement in the State. The value of exports of fish and fishery products showed an increasing trend from Rs crores in 1980 to Rs crores in and the growth rate is percent. Chart 4.3 gives the exports offish and fish products in Tamil Nadu.

25 133 Table 4.10 Export of Fish and Fishery Products in Tamil Nadu SI. No Year Quantity (Tonnes) Value (Rs. in Crores) Source: Commissioner of Fisheries, Chennai-6, 2003.

26 134 Table 4.11 Statistical Analysis of Export of Fish and Fishery Products in Tamil Nadu Exports in Quantity Exports in Value Statistic Values Statistic Values Mean Mean Standard Error Standard Error Median Median Standard Deviation Standard Deviation Kurtosis Kurtosis Skewness Skewness Range Range Minimum 4833 Minimum Maximum Maximum Sum Sum Count 22 Count 22 Source: Computed by the researcher. Table 4.11 shows that the mean exports of fish and fish products is tonnes from to The mean value of exports of fish and fish products is Rs Skewness is for the quantity of exports and for the value of exports which shows the direction and extent of distribution in the series. The value of mean is more than mode and hence the distribution is highly skewed. The standard deviation is for the quantity and for the value of exports, which shows greater magnitude of the deviations of the value from the mean.

27 135 Graph 4.3 Exports of Fish and Fish Products in Tamil Nadu from 1980 to ^.^ J" r^ J^ J'.^ J" r^ J^ J^ op o!> o> o?5 <& op d^ o^ o<o S> op ^c?> ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ I Quantity (Tonnes) Value (Rs. in Crores)

28 136 INSTITUTIONS IN FISHERIES The important institution in fishery is the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation Limited. It was formed as a state owned undertaking during 1974 for efficient implementation of various commercial activities of the Department of Fisheries. The authorized capital is Rs.5.00 crores. The paid up share capital as on stood Rs.4.45 crores. The Corporation is at present engaged in the following activities. Operation of Deep Sea Fishing Trawlers Management of Inland Reservoirs Production of Fish Seeds Management of Ice Plants, Cold Storage and Processing Plants Fish Marketing Fish Net Manufacture Diesel and oil sales in Fishing Harbors Production of cultured pearls and pearl oysters at Mandapam and Tuticorin Model Shrimp Farm and Training Centre at Karangadu Distribution of Outboard/Inboard motors on subsidy basis Production and Marketing of Ornamental Fishes Management of Dry Fish Godown at Tuticorin. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation Limited is operating three Deep Sea trawlers at Visage. The vessels are operated profitably. The Shrimp landed from these trawlers are exported to foreign countries by the Marine Products Exporters. The Corporation is managing five Fish Processing and Ice-cum-Cold Storage in Tamil Nadu. Out of which the Processing Plant at Mandapam has been leased out to private party. Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation is marketing fresh and fried fish in the cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore etc. through

29 137 nearly 50 retail outlets. The Fish Net Making Plant with a production capacity of 75 Tones per annum is installed at Royapuram. The quality webbings made out of Nylon/HDPE is sold to the fishermen, mechanized boat and deep sea trawler operators. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation is supplying quality nets according to the size and code of twines needed by the fishermen. At present the Corporation is running 17 diesel bunks at various fishing harbor areas in Tamil Nadu for supplying diesel and oil to fishermen at subsidized cost. Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation is regulating the supply of diesel and oil without allowing for misuse by the fishermen. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation has set up of one culture of Pearl Production Centre at Mandapam during Now the Project has been leased out to private party. Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation has set up one Pearl Oyster Hatchery at Mandapam under the grant received from Department of Bio-Technology, New Delhi. Pearl Oyster Spats produced from this hatchery is supplied to Pearl producers. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation Limited is managing one dry fish godown at Tuticorin for the benefit of dry fish exporters. Rooms available in this godown are rented out to dry fish exporters.^ ^ GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, Ministry of Fisheries, Chennai.

30 138 GOVERNMENT POLICY The fishery pohcy of the Government of Tamil Nadu is known from the policy note and other announcements made time to time. The recent programmes in fishery were released by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on She had launched the Fisheries Development Mission at Ramanathapuram and released the Fisheries Development Mission document. The Fisheries Development Mission aims at giving fillip to the production of inland and marine fisheries for increased domestic consumption and export in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Mission aims at increasing the production of inland fish through innovative measures by adopting scientific methods such as, fisheries development in reservoirs, tanks and ponds, besides attending to socio-economic welfare of the artisan and small-scale fisher-folk in the State. The objectives of the fishery policy are already discussed in the introduction chapter of this dissertation. The important programmes under the Fisheries Development Mission are: (1) Integrated approach to reservoir fisheries development (2) Popularisation of integrated fish farming in tanks and ponds (3) Development of coastal areas for aquaculture Government of Tamil Nadu, Policy Note on Fishery

31 139 (4) Development of coastal marine fisheries (i) Stock enhancement (ii) Art;ificial reefs (5) Post-harvest support and marketing (i) Development of harbours and fish landing centres (ii) Retail marketing infrastructure (6) Sea safety measures (i) Life floats /jackets (ii) GPS sets (Global Positioning System) (7) Strengthening of R& D facilities The Mission Programme outlined above will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs lakhs in a phased manner. The new scheme extends financial assistance to fishermen for motorisation of traditional crafts by installation of inboard engines and outboard motors in vallams and catamarans respectively. In order to avoid increasing conflicts in fishing between traditional and mechanised boat fishermen, the Government has initiated steps to amend certain provisions in the Tamilnadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act This is under active consideration of the Government. With regard to infrastructural development the fishermen are utilizing Chinnamuttom Fishing Harbour in Kanniyakumari District which was

32 140 constructed under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Since the existing berthing facilities are inadequate due to increase in the number of fishing crafts, a Phase II project costing about Rs crores has been prepared and action is being taken to conduct post evaluation study. For construction of fishing harbour at Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram District, a revised estimate at a total cost of Rs crores has been prepared and sent to the Government of India for its approval. Action is being taken to get the environmental clearance for this project. It is under the consideration of the Government of India for development of Pazhayar Fishing Harbour Stage II at a total cost of Rs crores. Action is being taken for getting the required lands to be transferred from Forest Department and environmental clearance for implementing this scheme. It is under consideration of the Government of India to develop and improve the infrastructure facilities as stage II project in the existing Fishing Harbour at Mallipattinam in Thanjavur District at a total cost of Rs.7.50 crores. Action is being taken for getting the required lands to be transferred and to obtain environmental clearance for taking up the work. For the establishment of fishing harbour at Poompuhar in Nagapattinam District, an estimate at a total cost of Rs.40 crores has been prepared and action is being taken for conducting model studies. For the establishment of a fishing harbour at Thengapattinam in Kanniyakumari District, sub soil investigation work has been completed.

33 141 The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery, Bangalore is preparing the Techno-Economic Feasibility report for construction of a Fishing Harbour at Thengapattinam. As soon as it is over, a full-fledged proposal will be sent to Government of India for approval and sanction of funds. It is under consideration by ASIDE (Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities) for developing existing facilities to the International Standard at Chennai and Thoothukudi Fishing Harbours at a total cost of Rs crores. The establishment of a Fishing Harbour at Muttom in Kanniyakumari District under BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) system is also under consideration of the Government.^ The Government considers the following as the topmost welfare schemes to uplift the socio economic condition of the fishermen in the State: 1. Fishermen's Free Housing Scheme. 2. National Fishermen Savings cum Relief Scheme. 3. Group Accident Insurance Scheme for fishermen. 4. Funeral expenses to fishermen family The assistance and subsidies given by the government of Tamil Nadu to the fisher folk is summarized below. Government of Tamil Nadu, op.cit.,

34 142 ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU TO THE FISHER FOLK Name of the Scheme / Implementing Officer Fishermen Free Housing Scheme Assistant Director of Fisheries (Marine); (Inland(; (Aqua) Assistant Director of Fisheries (Extension & Training) Radhapuram. Issue of Identity cards to fishermen Assistant Directors of Fisheries who are authorised by Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1983 Fishermen Training Centre Procedures / Eligibility a. The fishermen should be a member of the Fishermen Cooperative Society and have attained 18 years and not exceeding 60 years of age. b.should be below povery line c. Not owning a houses d. Owning land measuring 3 cents; Landless fishermen may be considered. The fishermen should be a member of a Fishermen Cooperative Society and engaged in full time fishing. Courses offered are: a Modem Fishing Methods b Junior Mechanic Course Assistant Director of Fisheries (Extension and Training) a To join the course the candidate should have attained 18 years of age but not exceeding 35 years b Should be able to read and write in Tamil. c Should have 5 years of Sea fishing experience

35 143 Name of the Scheme / Implementing Officer Subsidy for HSD oil Assistant Director of Fisheries (Marine) (Fishing Harbour Management Wing) Frees Training to Fishermen / Fisherwomen Assistant Director of Fisheries (Marine) (Extension and Training) Procedures / Eligibility a To join the course the candidate should have attained 18 years of age but not exceeding 35 years b Should have passed 8th Standard a.beneficiaries should be a owner of less than 20meters length mechanised fishing boat. b The boat should be registered with the Department and possess the licence for fishing c The details of fishing and the diesel utilised are to be written in log books. d The diesel should be purchased in the Department approved bunks and to be used for fishing purpose only. e Eligible fishing crafts owners will be subsidy of Rs / litre which is shared at 80:20 by the Central and State Government. The following training programme are given to the fishermen / fisherwomen through various Departments on free of cost. 1. Cooperative Management 2. Awareness creation 3. Leadership development 4. Hygienic handling of marine products 5. Preparation of value added fishery byeproducts 6. Ornamental fish culture 7. Fish net repairs and maintenance 8. Fish processing technology

36 144 Name of the Scheme / Implementing Officer Fishermen Group Accident Insurance Scheme (Central / State Scheme) Asst. Director of Fisheries (Marine); (Inland); (Aquaculture) Procedures / Eligibility a. Must be a member of Fishermen Cooperative Society and engaged in full time fishing b. Central / State Government share Rs.7/- per fishermen at the rate of Rs.l4/- is paid as premium per annum c. A sum of Rs.50,000/- is paid in case of death or total and unrecoverable permanent disablement and a sum of Rs.25,000/- is paid in case of partial disablement. Registration of fishing crafts and issue of licence Fishing crafts a) Mechanised fishing boats b) Country craft (Vallam) c) Cattamaram Asst. Director of Fisheries (Marine); (Fishing Habour Management Wing) Integrated Coastal Aquaculture Scheme (Central and State Joint Sector Scheme) - Subsidy for establishing private and public sector prawn farms. Fishing crafts registration and fishing licence fee fixed as follows: - Registration fees Fishing Licence fees (a) Rs.250/- Rs.250/- (b) Rs.25/- Rs.25/- (c)rs.lo/- Rs.lO/- (Licence should be renewed for every three year) a.subsidy 25% towards the capital cost for the development of one hectare farm including operational cost for the first crop subject to the maximum of Rs.30,000/- per hectare. b.each beneficiary can avail maximum

37 145 Name of the Scheme / Implementing Officer Asst. Director of Fisheries (Aquaculture) Integrated Marine Fisheries Development Project. Special Officer/Managing Director, Procedures / Eligibility subsidy upto 10 hectares c.to avail the benefits under this scheme, the beneficiary should abide the judgement of Honourable Supreme Court of India dated and the guidelines issued by the Aquaculture Authority and should get approval / authorisation from the Aquaculture Authority. To get the approval from Aquaculture Authority the shrimp farmers should apply to the State Level Committee in the prescribed application along with the required the processing fee. For those farms inside the CRZ an amount of Rs.lOO/- per ha and for those farms outside the CRZ an amount ofrs.200/- per ha. will have to be paid as processing fee. The required processing fee has to be paid by taking a demand draft in favour of Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, Chennai. a. The District Level Committee inspects the farm and forward to the State Level Committee with recommendations. The State Level Committee scrutinize the application and forward to the Aquaculture Authority. Based on the recommendations of District / State Level Committee, the Aquaculture Authority issue approval / authorization for the shrimp aqua farm. a.distributes 65 % loan and 25% subsidy for procuring small size boats / vallams to traditional craft fishermen along with 10 % of share of beneficiary.

38 146 Name of the Scheme / Implementing Officer Tamilnadu State Apex Fisheries Cooperative Federation Limited, R.K. Mutt Road, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-28. Fisheries Research Activities. Analysis of Soil and Water for Fish culture Asst.Director of Fisheries, (Research) Chennai and Thoothukudi. Investigation of Fish/Shrimp disease and control. Asst.Director of Fisheries, (Research),Chennai Asst.Director of Fisheries, (Research) Thoothukudi Asst.Director of Fisheries, (Inland), Bhavanisagar. Asst.Director of Fisheries, (Aquaculture), Ponneri. Chidambaram, Nagapattinam and Thoothukudi. Procedures / Eligibility b. All the fishermen/fisherwomen cooperative society may become members of federation and benefitted to receive loans and subsidy for iceboxes. c.the Federation helps in creating infrastructure facilities such as fish landing centre, other facilities to fishermen villages. d.the Federation extends interestfi-eeloan facility upto Rs.42,000/- to fisherwomen cooperatives for undertaking marketing of fish Fish Farmers intend to construct fish farm can analyse the water and soil at Rs.20/- per sample and get recommendation for fish culture. The Fish Farmers can utilise services of Fisheries Department at free of cost to investigate the fish/shrimp diseases and get recommendations for control measures.

39 147 Name of the Scheme / Implementing Officer Funeral expenses to the fisherman / fisherman family member Asst. Director of Fisheries (Marine) (Inland) of the concerned District. Distribution of life jackets to the traditional fisherman of Tamilnadu Asst. Director of Fisheries (Marine) Procedures / Eligibility In the event of death of the fisherman / family member an amount of Rs.500/- will be paid as funeral expense based on the following terms and conditions: - 1) The beneficiary must register himself in Fishermen Cooperative Society / Fishermen Welfare Association. 2) He must be below poverty-line. 3) The fishermen must engage himself in full time fishing 4) The fishermen should not be a employee of Government or a private concern. 1) The fishermen should be a member of the Fishermen Cooperative Society. 2) Fishermen should register their fishing crafts with the Fisheries Department and possess the licence for fishing 3) The fishermen must engage himself in full time fishing The marine fishing system discussed in this chapter portrays the rich marine resources in the State. The Government policy on marine fishery is encouraging in the development of marine fishing systems in Tamil Nadu.