Socio-Economic Status of Crab Trap Fishermen in Ratnagiri, India

Abstract

A significant source of income for the Ratnagiri fishing communities' economies is trap fishing. The present study documents the socioeconomic status of crab trap fishermen across the entire Ratnagiri block, aiming to gather data on their economic and livelihood conditions to identify key issues that could help sustain their way of life and ensure their active participation in training programs. A study was conducted into the socioeconomic circumstances of fishermen, including their ages, levels of education, knowledge of collapsible traps, and other factors. Interviews with 110 respondents were conducted. The personal information of the fishermen, such as awareness about foldable crab traps, interest in trap fishing, engagement in trap fishing, interest in the trap fishing training program, age and education were collected. About 18.18 percent of fishermen were in age group 1 (the age up to 35, young age), 68.18 percent of fishermen were in the middle age group up to 36-50 (middle age), and 13.63 percent of fishermen were in the old age group age up to above 51 (old age). The results showed that the illiterate fishermen were highly interested in trap fishing. Awareness of the fishermen about the foldable crab trap was ranked 3rd. Interest about trap fishing and interest in trap fishing training program were ranked 2nd. Engagement in the trap fishing activity was ranked 1st.