The Socio-Economic Status of the Fishermen Community at the Bank of the Hooghly River, West Bengal

Abstract

Fishermen have a vital role for ensuring food security, safeguarding livelihoods, and bolstering the ecological and economic stability of coastal and inland communities. This study explored the socio-economic characteristics of fishers in Diamond Harbour Block-I, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, focusing specifically on livelihood challenges. Primary data were obtained via structured questionnaires and door-to-door surveys. The majority of homes consisted of more than four persons, with widespread poor literacy levels throughout the population. Both men and women actively engaged in fishing, the primary occupation, while a minority participated in agriculture and manual labor. Access to fundamental amenities remained constrained, with the majority of households depending on public sanitation facilities and government tube wells for potable water, and many lacking stable housing. Despite some respondents having had training, fisheries-related programs and institutional assistance were predominantly insufficient. Significant concerns encompassed damage to fishing equipment and vessels, vulnerability to natural disasters, and economic instability. Enhancing fisheries management regulations, input supply systems, technical support, and social welfare initiatives might substantially improve the livelihoods of fishers and the productivity of fisheries in West Bengal and beyond.