Fading footprints on sandy shores

As tides of change reshape fisheries, empowering women can anchor stronger, more equitable communities

Eroding coastlines, shrinking shorelines, and climate change are not just reshaping the homes and livelihoods of coastal communities—they are dismantling the traditional value chains in fisheries, long sustained by the invisible labour of women.

For generations, these women were the backbone of the fish value chain, taking over once their husbands returned from days at sea. At the landing centers, the women worked tirelessly, vending, cleaning, drying, and processing fish on the expansive sands in front of their little homes.

But today, declining catches, soaring fuel costs, and the increasing involvement of men in vending and distribution have marginalized their role. Despite their indispensable contributions, women remain uncounted in fisheries statistics, their labour unquantified and their voices unheard.

The gender gap in fisheries isn’t new, but it came under sharper focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Studies across Asia, including India, revealed a shared narrative: In male-dominated societies, where ‘men at sea’ shaped the economic and social hierarchy, women were confined to silent, behind-the-scenes roles.

“We found that women are often silent and unrecognized workers. This imbalance needs policy-level attention,” said Dr Nikita Gopal, chairperson of Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries (GAF) at the Asian Fisheries Society. Post-pandemic, GAF proposed a cooperative action plan to address this disparity.

Shockingly, Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, doesn’t include gender equality in its targets.

Yet the impacts of global threats like climate change and the pandemic disproportionately burden women, often increasing their unpaid labour while making paid work more difficult. “There are welfare schemes for women in fisheries,” explained Nikita, also a principal scientist at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology. “But many women don’t access them because they lack awareness or the confidence to take the initiative.

Introducing them to new technologies and opportunities is critical, but societal and family dynamics must evolve to support this change. Gender inclusiveness is the key to bridging this gap.” Kerala, a state with a deep connection to the sea, mirrors the gender bias in fisheries.

Efforts have been made to address this through gender budgeting and initiatives like the Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF). However, much remains to be done to integrate women into this sector meaningfully.

Women traditionally avoided fishing in the outer sea but played a significant role in inland fishing and related activities. These include ‘thappi pidutham’ (inland fishing) and cage farming, which align more with agricultural systems than traditional fisheries. Yet, they remain part of an unaccounted labour force. Govt data reveals that out of 10,60,078 registered fishers in Kerala, there are 4,22,465 men and 3,74,226 women.

However, only 6,000 women are actively involved in schemes under SAF, out of 78,659 allied workers. Empowering women in fisheries could transform households and communities. When women have a say in managing household income, food security, and education, it reduces their vulnerability to domestic violence and poverty. Mahesh S, executive director of SAF, fisheries department, Kerala, shared the organization’s efforts to uplift fisherwomen through the Theera Mythri Project.

“We work exclusively for fisherwomen, reaching them through micro-financing groups of five. We provide skill training, financial aid, business development modules, marketing strategies, and performance improvement programmes. These initiatives not only ensure alternate livelihoods but also promote financial independence,” he said.