Agricultural Economics Research Review

This study on sustainable management of fisheries has been conducted in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu which is affected by varying levels of pollution caused by the SIPCOT industries. The cost of fish production was highest for the low-affected category due to less pollution intensity and consequently high fish production. The gross income and net income were highest for low-affected fishermen. The fish catch also varied with pollution intensity. The resource-use efficiency of fish production revealed that variables for fuel cost, number of fishermen and maintenance cost were positive and significant for all the categories of fishermen. The technical efficiency of the affected fishermen revealed that mean technical efficiency and scale efficiency of the three categories of serious-affected, medium-affected and low-affected fishermen were similar and were around 99 per cent. The contingent valuation revealed that the WTP amount was also highest for the serious-affected category. The sustainable rural livelihood framework analyses showed that low-affected fishermen were more sustainable followed by medium- and low-affected fishermen. The study has suggested that MGNREGA like schemes should be evolved for fisheries sector also.