Employment potential of fisherwomen in the collection and post harvest operations of seaweeds in India

Abstract

Seaweeds are the renewable marine resources and they form the primary raw material for the agar and algin industries. They are mostly exploited from the south east coast of Tamil Nadu from Mandapam to Kanyakumari, Gujarat Coast, Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Even though substantial resources are available in our coastal waters, it is neither harvested to its fullest extent nor much efforts have been put forth. Seaweed
\ncollection renders extensive employment to the coastal fisher folk. The estimation of seaweed resources indicate that only a negligible quantity is harvested. At present nearly
\n5000 women depend on the seaweed industries for their livelihood. If the available resources
\nare harvested to its optimal level, it can provide employment to another 20,000 coastal fisher
\nfolk in harvesting sector and an equal number in post harvest activities. Since the domain of
\nseaweed collecting industry is mainly dominated by women, special efforts should be taken
\nfor its optimum exploitation and market expansion through diversified product development
\nand their popularization. This paper deals with the employment potential offisherwomen in
\nseaweed industries, problems and prospects in the collection and processing segments of
\nseaweeds.