Sustainable Hook-and-Line Fisheries and Market-Led Price Advantage: Evidence from Kombuthurai Village, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Marine fisheries play a vital role in employment generation, income security, nutritional security, and export earnings in India. Kombuthurai fishing village in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, represents a distinctive model of exclusive dependence on hook-and-line fishing—a highly selective and environmentally sustainable fishing method. The present study evaluates the ecological sustainability, economic viability, and marketing structure associated with hook-and-line fisheries in Kombuthurai. Primary data were collected through structured field surveys of 100 fishing households (fishers), supplemented with secondary information obtained from 4 fishermen associations and relevant official records. The study examines fish marketing arrangements, auction mechanisms, institutional governance, and price differentials across landing centres. Results indicate that hook-and-line fishing produces superior quality catch with minimal bycatch and negligible habitat damage. Fishers in Kombuthurai realize significantly higher prices compared to other landing centres due to quality-based grading and an organized auction system. The association-managed auction framework strengthens collective bargaining power, ensures transparency, and effectively minimizes middlemen exploitation. The findings demonstrate that ecological sustainability and economic profitability can coexist in small-scale marine fisheries when supported by strong community institutions, transparent governance, and quality-oriented marketing systems. This model offers important policy insights for promoting sustainable coastal livelihoods in India.