Published Paper Details:

The fishing community in Ramanathapuram District faces significant socio-economic, environmental, and occupational challenges. This study examines key issues such as income instability, financial constraints, market exploitation, and health risks that impact their livelihoods. Fluctuating fish prices, middlemen dominance, and limited access to financial aid push many fishermen into economic insecurity. Government subsidies and welfare programs are often inaccessible due to bureaucratic hurdles and poor implementation, leaving the community without adequate support.Occupational hazards remain a pressing concern, with fishermen exposed to unsafe working conditions, physical injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders. Climate change further aggravates their difficulties by reducing fish populations, altering fishing patterns, and increasing extreme weather events. While marine conservation policies aim to protect ecosystems, they often restrict access to traditional fishing zones, threatening fishermen's incomes. Financial constraints also hinder the adoption of modern fishing technologies, limiting their ability to adapt to changing conditions. Health risks, including inadequate medical facilities and psychological stress due to economic instability, further impact their well-being. Poor infrastructure, such as insufficient transportation and storage facilities, leads to additional financial losses. Despite the availability of government welfare programs, ineffective policy implementation prevents many from accessing these benefits.This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions, including financial support, fair market access, improved safety measures, and sustainable fishing practices. Strengthening fishermen's representation in policymaking, investing in modern fishing technologies, and implementing disaster risk reduction strategies can help secure their future. Addressing these challenges holistically is crucial to ensuring both the well-being of the fishing community and the sustainability of the fisheries sector.