Marine and inland fishery sectors in India: issues arising out of privatization of common property resources for accelerating production

Abstract

The marine fishery resources are common property, theoretically accessible to all. However, due to cost and uncertainty of exportable resources, all types of boat owners tend to fish close to shore. Serious conflicts have been observed between the traditional and mechanized craft owners. Further, with the mechanization, decentralised landing places are giving way to more centralised landing and marketing places. Similarly, the inland fishery resources which are also common property, are now being privatized for the benefit of a few. This paper is designed to analyse Indian experience with emerging issues of equity, income distribution, employment and social tensions in the process of mechanization of marine fisheries and acceleration of production in inland fisheries.