Maritime accidental morbidity and mortality among small scale traditional fishermen in Kalapet area, Puducherry

Marine fishing is a very hazardous occupation regarding both fatality and disabling injury. Nonfatal and fatal injuries of small scale traditional commercial fishermen who are going to sea for fishing from Kalapet area Puducherry are reported in this article. Data from the injury reports of an Emergency and Forensic Medicine Departments of Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry from January 2003 to January 2008 are used. Fall, boat mishap and machinery related injuries are three major types of accidents among fishermen of Puducherry Upper extremity injuries are the most common presentation among all types of injuries. Though higher injury rate is found in lower extremity in fall accident. Contusion or sprain are reported more in fall or boat accidents but machinery related accidents attribute higher proportion of open injuries like laceration or amputation or cut injury. Fall accidents are more common in above 45 year age group but incidents of overall accident rate is higher below 45 year age group. Drowning attribute to death in maximum cases among casualties due to boat capsizing or loss of vessel. Accident rates are higher during the period from July to January than the rest of the year. Besides compensation schemes, formal maritime training for these traditional fishermen can be useful to reduce occupational morbidity and mortality.