Sardine economy of Kerala: Paradigms and Perspectives

Abstract

Among the commercially important marine fish species harvested in India, oil sardine occupies the foremost position along with mackerel in terms of landings and consumption. About 85 per cent of the Keralites eat fish and hence its role in the economy is of paramount importance in the present scenario of escalating fish landings along with the fluctuating sardine landings. The primary data was collected from 600 households of the three major cities of Kerala using the simple random sampling method. The demand – supply gap of sardine in Kerala is analysed and forecasted which indicates widening demandsupply gaps. The study reveals that there is boundless sardine demand-supply gap in Kerala economy which was usually ironed up by the interstate fish business. Moreover, the study inspects the effect of bait industry upon the food security, fishing pressure, and reduced post-harvest job opportunities.