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Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research | ISSN: 2572-3103 | Volume 6
&
Marine Science, Coastal Dynamics and Management
6
th
International Conference on
Oceanography, Ocean Technology and Marine Biology
6
th
International Conference on
September 21-22, 2018 | Dallas, USA
Self-governance of fishing institutions and community resilience: An anthropological inquiry of fishing
villages in Godavari Valley, Andhra Pradesh, India
Sallapudi David Brynerd
University of Hyderabad, India
I
t is well informed in the academic circles that Fishing sector is in transition as any other sector. Direct and indirect role of market
forces affected the fishing sector and as a cause and affect the rights and entitlements of the fishing community are at stake not
only in India but also in the world. Many studies have highlighted several issues, like migration, mechanization, fishing rights, issues
and operationalization of ICZM, middlemen domination, post-harvest technology facilities; dwindling catches, gender relations,
and occupational shift, etc. Very few studies have focused on the indigenous institutions and the customary rights and Governance
structure of these institutions. Especially in India the focus on Indigenous institutions in the fishing sector is not well documented
by the researchers. This paper is an outcome of a rigorous anthropological investigation into the indigenous knowledge and practices
of the fisherfolk of the Coastal Andhra. Indigenously evolved institutional form, “Walakatlu”, evolved over centuries in the past, is
still in vogue in the fishing villages. This institution provides fish catch to the share-cropper (the right comes through lineage as
ancestral immovable right) on the day of their turn (Vantu). Another institution “Ayyalu”, a community institution, includes both
consanguineal and affinal kin members as partners. In light of this, the proposed paper discusses the structure of these institutions,
rules, and regulations, allocation of rights over territories, income levels of appropriators, investment patterns, debt repayment
mechanism, the role of middlemen, transfer of rights, sanctions on violators of norms, etc. The paper primarily examines the role of
indigenous institutions in shaping the socio-economic fabric of the fishing community. Secondly, it proposes to look at how these
institutions are made use of by the community for creating sustainable livelihoods. Thirdly, it examines the community’s perspective
of livelihood options derived out of rural developmental programmes (State Sponsored) and the livelihood choices carved out of rich
natural resource base.
sdbrynerd@gmail.comJ Oceanogr Mar Res 2018, Volume 6
DOI: 10.4172/2572-3103-C1-006