The study was conducted in 15 villages around the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, covering over 3000 households and 20,000 people, using a combination of household level survey questionnaires, focussed group discussions, case studies and finally public hearings involving the community, government agencies(2).
Discussing the findings, Dr. Pranaya Parida, Principal Investigator of the study, said ““There is a real opportunity here for a win-win solution if the genuine economic problems of these villages can be resolved, while enlisting their support for the protection of their fishing grounds, particularly from destructive fishing gear and other threats.”
Among the key findings of the report was the fact that over 40% of the households surveyed still depends totally on the sanctuary as a source of their livelihood. Almost all (96%) of the households surveyed were open to consider income generation options, but the need for any government scheme to be flexible to local needs was repeatedly stressed.
Interestingly, despite the problems posed to their livelihood by the sanctuary, 59% of the fishermen interviewed supported the sanctuary in principle, since they experienced benefits in terms of better fish catch. 77% believed that fish stocks have improved substantially because of the sanctuary.
Based on feedback from those surveyed and discussions with local villages, the report also makes specific recommendations and suggests safeguards regarding income generation options. The investment and training needs that the community has asked for are also discussed.
Mangaraj Panda, General Secretary, United Artists Association, said “So far there has not been enough consultation and discussion with the affected villages on the measures that the government is proposing for them. We trust that the recommendations made in this report will be taken seriously so that the schemes being proposed actually do help the community. This should also be considered as a starting point for further consultations with impacted fishermen in the region.”
The report also stresses that the larger issue of involving the traditional fisher community in the management of the Gahirmatha Sanctuary also needs to be addressed.
Areeba Hamid, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace India said “This conservation versus livelihood conflict would not exist if a proper process of consultation with fisher folk and co-management had been followed when the sanctuary was declared. The income generation schemes must be seen as a starting point in the process of resolving the conflict in the area; this report has also made other recommendations, ranging from expediting the provision of innocent passage to involving fishermen in the management of the sanctuary, and exploring management strategies that benefit both traditional fishing livelihoods and conservation needs.”
Notes
(1) Report: Other Fish in the Sea
(2) For details on public hearings see : http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/Multimedia/Traditional-fisherfolk-put-forth-their-woes-at-the-public-consultation-in-Gupti/
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/news/Gahirmatha-fishermen-give-inputs-on-income-generation-scheme-demand-further-government-support/