Deciphering the operational challenges in fishing: A holistic constraint assessment of marine fishing activities in West Bengal, India

Abstract

This research seeks to pinpoint and prioritize the obstacles fishing vessels operating in the marine waters off West Bengal face. It was carried out across nine Fish Landing Centers (FLCs) in Purba Medinipur (4) and South 24 Paraganas (5) districts of West Bengal. These FLCs were chosen based on the type of vessels utilized: mechanized, motorized, and traditional. Ten fishermen from each type of vessel were selected from each FLC, resulting in a total sample size of 150 respondents for the survey. The study utilized the Henry Garrett ranking technique to assess and categorize fishermen's constraints when fishing. The results of the analysis show that a significant hindrance for non-motorized fishing vessels is the decrease in catch due to overfishing, habitat degradation, or environmental changes. Moreover, the increase in diesel prices poses a significant challenge for motorized and mechanized fishing vessels. Common issues for all fishing vessels include high labour and input costs, fluctuations in market demand, and the scarcity of pricing and market data. The study also identified middlemen prevalence and the absence of government support as substantial constraints impacting fishermen's fishing activities. Additionally, the study highlighted the need for adequate infrastructure, such as landing centers and marketing facilities, to address the challenges fishermen face in West Bengal. Constraint analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of fishermen's diverse difficulties, providing valuable insights for developing targeted interventions and support measures to enhance the sustainability and resilience of marine fishing operations in the region.