Employment potential of fisherwomen in the collection and post harvest operations of seaweeds in India

Seaweeds are the renewable marine resources and they form the primary raw material for the agar and algin industries. They are mostly exploited from the south east coast of Tamil Nadu from Mandapam to Kanyakumari, Gujarat Coast, Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Even though substantial resources are available in our coastal waters, it is neither harvested to its fullest extent nor much efforts have been put forth. Seaweed collection renders extensive employment to the coastal fisher folk. The estimation of seaweed resources indicate that only a negligible quantity is harvested.

At present nearly 5000 women depend on the seaweed industries for their livelihood. If the available resources are harvested to its optimal level, it can provide employment to another 20,000 coastal fisher folk in harvesting sector and an equal number in post harvest activities. Since the domain of seaweed collecting industry is mainly dominated by women, special efforts should be taken for its optimum exploitation and market expansion through diversified product development and their popularization. This paper deals with the employment potential offisherwomen in seaweed industries, problems and prospects in the collection and processing segments of seaweeds.