ROLE OF WOMEN IN

FISHERIES
BY

Md. Ali Hassan

II-M.F.Sc.

Dept. of Fisheries Extension

2006

INTRODUCTION

The fisheries sector occupies a very important place in

the socio economic development of India.

The sector has been recognized as a powerful income

and employment generator for mural fisherfolk.

It stimulates growth of a number of subsidiary

industries and in a source of cheap and nutritious food.

It is instrument for livelihood of large section of

economically backward population of the country.

More than 6.0 million fishermen and fish farmer in the

country.

The fisheries sector is the major contributor in foreign

exchange earning.

In general, women involved in fisheries activities

Coastal aquaculture

Freshwater
aquaculture

Hatchery
Management

Role of women in fisheries

Fish processing
industries

Fish marketing
Fish preservation

ROLE OF WOMEN IN FRESHWATER

AQUACULTURE

Pond preparation

Stocking of seeds

Pond fertilization

Harvesting

Hatchery management

Stitching and washing hapa

Transferring fish eggs and seeds

Packing fish seed for transportation etc.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN FRESH WATER

AQUACULTURE

Composite fish culture

Integrated fish farming

Freshwater prawn culture

Ornamental fish culture

Aquarium fish breeding

Backyard hatchery management for fish

Backyard hatchery management for prawn

PROCESSING PLANT AND EMPLOYEE IN BRIEF

378 seafood processing plants

1,237 seafood exporter

Provide employment to over 35,000 works

Male, female ratio of 3:10

Women constitute 75%

Most of them are aged 21 30

ROLE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN

COASTAL AQUACULTURE

Labour in pond construction

Collection of prawn and fish seed

Management of small pond

Collection of land snails for feeding prawn

Culture of seaweed

Live food culture

Nucleus implantation in pearl oyster culture

Crab and lobster fattening

Sorting and transportation of seeds.

ROLE OF WOMEN IN SEAFOOD PROCESSING

INDUSTRIES

Grading and sorting of shellfish and finfish.

Peeling and cleaning of shellfish and finfish.

Weighing of fish and shrimp.

Arrangement of fish and shrimp in plates.

Freezing

Packing

Labeling

Storing etc.

VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS WHICH CAN BE

PREPARED BY WOMEN AT HOME AND IN
SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES

Fish / prawn pickle

Fish cutlet

Fish balls

Fish papad

Masmin

Shark fin ray

Masala dried fish

Fish soup powder etc.

WOMEN IN FISH MARKETING AND TRADING

Home to home sale

Licensed market

Unlicensed market / hawking

Auctioning in landing center

Road side sale

Beach side sale

WOMEN IN FISHEIRES RESEARCH AND

EDUCATION

Fisheries Department

Research institutes and colleges

New areas in genetics and biotechnology

Eradication of biasness and reservation

Providing training facilities

Increasing the age for recruitment of women

Financial support

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN FISHERIES

The process of

Awareness and capacity building

Greater participation,

Greater decision making power

Control for transformative action.

WOMEN ENPOWERMENT FRAMEWORK

Empowerment

CONSTRAINTS IN GENDER DEVELOPMENT

Illiteracy

Ignorance

Conservative nature

Superstition

Poverty

Organization supports

IMPLICATION FOR WOMEN

Increased productivity

Reduced work hours

Extra income generation

Replacement of the female labour force

Factors affecting for women to obtain relevant skills

Training

PROBLEM FOR WOMEN IN FISHERIES

Illiteracy

Employment status

Health

Impact of technology

Social problems

Family problems

CONSTRAINTS

Administrative support

Training

Living condition

Service incentives

Financial Support

Decision making

Heavy work load

Low paid

CONCLUSION

It is important to accelerate the development initiatives

for women in fisheries.

To achieve gender equity, changes have to be brought in

several levels in fisheries and allied activities.

The Government and its development partners need to

re-orient their programs and implement for women
effectively.

Various

developmental

organizations

like

AFS,

ICLARM and FAO of the United Nation are taking

initiative for development and empowerment of women

in fisheries sector.