Socio-Economic Profile of Fishing Communities in the Sunderbans

The Sundarbans, with its unique biosphere and mangrove ecosystems, provides livelihoods to millions despite its challenges, such as natural calamities, infrastructural inadequacies, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. A closer look into the diverse fisheries-related activities canal fishing, dry fish processing, pond culture, tiger prawn seed collection, and crab harvesting reveals the critical role these practices play in sustaining local communities.

Canal Fisheries: Livelihood on Tidal Waterways

Demographics and Living Conditions

The canal fishing community in the Sundarbans comprises predominantly male fishers, with family members often contributing to supporting activities like net repairs and fish processing. The average household size ranges from 5–7 members. Educational attainment is low, with less than 30% of individuals completing secondary school.

Most fishers reside in kutcha houses made of mud and bamboo, while about 10–15% has semi-pucca homes. Around 60% of households have access to electricity, primarily through government initiatives, but clean drinking water and sanitation facilities remain scarce. Women in these households often manage home-based tasks, including small-scale livestock rearing and kitchen gardening, to supplement family income.

Livelihood Practices and Income

Fishing trips range from short day trips to longer expeditions of 2–3 days. During monsoons and winters, fish availability is higher, allowing families to earn ₹10,000–₹12,000 monthly. Additional income from agriculture and livestock raises the total to ₹15,000 for many households.

However, high operational costs (gear maintenance, boat repairs, and licensing fees) and monthly household expenses (₹8,000–₹10,000) leave little room for savings. Women often engage in making nets or selling fish to local markets, earning supplemental income.

Challenges and Interventions

Fishers face declining fish stocks due to overfishing, pollution, and rising salinity. Limited access to cold storage forces them to sell to middlemen at lower prices. Cyclones and floods frequently damage boats and homes, further straining their resources. Introducing modern fishing methods, establishing cooperatives to bypass middlemen, and providing financial assistance for equipment can significantly enhance their economic resilience.

Dry Fish Workers: Preserving the Catch

Demographics and Living Conditions

Dry fish processing is dominated by women, with a workforce primarily aged between 22–54 years. Over 85% of these workers are married, with large joint families (5–8 members) relying on their income.

Nearly 90% of these women live in kutcha houses, often located near fishing hubs. Access to clean water and sanitation is limited, leading to frequent health problems. Education levels are alarmingly low, with 87% illiterate and only a handful completing primary school.

Livelihood Practices and Income

Women earn ₹3,000–₹5,000 per month during the peak season (October–February), contributing to 20–25% of household income. They manage tasks such as grading, drying, and packaging fish, while men handle transportation and wholesale marketing.

Despite their critical role, they lack access to tools, storage facilities, and proper transportation. Seasonal income variations exacerbate financial instability.

Challenges and Opportunities

Frequent cyclones disrupt fish availability and drying processes. Health issues from prolonged exposure to sun and salt, along with poor earnings due to market exploitation, remain significant barriers. Providing tools, access to microfinance, and skill training for value-added products like fish powder or fish oil can improve their livelihoods.

 

Pond Culture: Sustaining Aquatic Resources

Demographics and Role of Women

The pond culture workforce includes families managing 1–2-acre ponds, with women playing an integral role. Women handle stocking, feeding, and harvesting, while men often handle marketing. Women’s involvement has increased due to male migration for urban jobs, leaving them responsible for both household and aquaculture tasks.

Living Standards and Economic Contribution

Families engaged in pond culture earn ₹20,000–₹30,000 annually from fish farming. With external support, such as ICAR-CIFRI interventions, women have doubled their income, fostering greater economic stability. In addition to fish farming, many households rear livestock and grow crops on pond banks, diversifying their income sources.

Health and Nutrition Benefits

Fish farming has contributed significantly to addressing malnutrition by providing affordable, high-quality protein. Improved pond yields have helped reduce dietary deficiencies, particularly in children and pregnant women.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Pollution from agricultural runoff and habitat destruction threatens pond ecosystems. Expanding training programs and financial support for sustainable aquaculture can further empower these families, making them more resilient to external shocks.

Tiger Prawn Seed Collectors: Meen Dhora

Demographics and Workforce Composition

Women comprise 80–85% of the tiger prawn seed collection workforce, working alongside children and elders. Many of these families belong to economically marginalized groups, with household incomes heavily reliant on seasonal earnings.

Earnings and Work Patterns

Collectors work during tidal flows, earning ₹250–₹700 per 1,000 post-larvae (PL). Individual collectors gather 1,500–4,000 PL daily, translating to a monthly income of ₹8,000–₹12,000. Seasonal income fluctuations make long-term financial planning difficult.

Occupational Hazards

Prolonged water exposure leads to skin diseases, infections, and chronic back pain. Collectors also face risks from estuarine wildlife, such as snakes and crocodiles. Despite the demanding nature of their work, profit margins are eroded by middlemen in the supply chain.

Sustainability and Support Needs

The practice contributes to shrimp aquaculture but raises ecological concerns due to over-extraction of juvenile shrimp. Introducing sustainable seed collection techniques, along with direct marketing channels, can improve earnings while reducing environmental strain.

Crab Collectors: Navigating the Mangroves

Demographics and Living Conditions

Crab collectors, often living in kutcha houses, represent some of the most economically vulnerable groups in the Sundarbans. Most families own small boats and basic tools for crab harvesting. Around 60% of households have limited access to electricity and safe drinking water.

Livelihood Practices and Earnings

Crab collection is a year-round activity, with peak earnings during monsoons and winter. Families earn an average of ₹10,000–₹12,000 per month, but high living costs leave little room for savings.

Risks and Challenges

Navigating mangrove forests exposes collectors to life-threatening risks from tigers and crocodiles. Additionally, market dependence on middlemen and the rising impact of climate change, including storm surges and salinity increases, exacerbate their vulnerabilities.

Opportunities for Improvement

Promoting crab aquaculture alongside direct market access can enhance profitability. Introducing safety equipment and training on sustainable harvesting practices can reduce occupational hazards and ensure resource conservation.

Conclusion

The diverse fishing communities of the Sundarbans highlight the region’s deep interconnection between livelihoods and natural resources. However, these communities face numerous challenges, from environmental degradation to market exploitation and socio-economic vulnerabilities. By fostering sustainable practices, improving infrastructure, and empowering local populations through skill development, the Sundarbans can achieve a balance between ecological preservation and community prosperity.