Dr. R. Karuppusamy, International Journal of Research in Management, Economics and Commerce, ISSN 2250-057X, Impact Factor: 6.384, Volume 08 Issue 04, April 2018, Page 89-101 http://indusedu.org Page 89 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License The Employment, Income and Investment Pattern of Fishermen in Puducherry, India Dr. R. Karuppusamy 1 and K. Karthikeyan 2 1 (Principal Investigator – UGC Major Research Project, Associate Professor of Commerce & Research supervisor, Department of Commerce, Tagore Government Arts & Science College, Puducherry, India) 2 (Project Fellow – UGC Major Research Project & Ph.D. Research Scholar in Commerce, PG and Research Department of Commerce, Kanchi Mamunivar Centre for PG Studies, Puducherry, India) Abstract: The study attempts to analyze the pattern of employment, income and investment habits of fishermen in the Puducherry Region. To study the variables 200 respondents were interviewed through well drafted interview schedule and data were analysed by using the descriptive statistics, correlation and Garrett rank test models. The study revealed that 75 per cent of fishermen engage inherited fishing practice. The lean period, during a cyclone and natural disasters etc. the alternative employments of respondents are Construction works, fish vending, fish processing. Regarding their income, Majority (53 per cent) of the respondents earn between Rs.10,000 and 15,000. All the respondents interested to invest in local chit-funds, bank deposits and purchase of gold ornaments. It is also found that the fishermen borrow money from friends and relatives whenever they face the financial inadequacy. Inferred further, the respondents opined that the Government should arrange for credit facilities and provide subsidies to small scale fishermen to buy boats and renovate the existing boats & nets. Fisher folk they also demand for updated technology for intensive fishing and fish processing units for their harvest. The study also reveals that the respondents demand the Government to arrange for an awareness programme for investment avenues for better investment. Keywords: Fishermen, Income, Employment, Investment, Savings. JEL Code: Q22, E2. I. INTRODUCTION Fishing is the ancient and one of the most important livelihood options of the inhabitants of the coastal line of the country since the time immemorial. The fisher folk purely depend on the marine environment for their day to day affairs and it has been considered as the custodian of livelihood security. The fisheries sector contributes to the national income, exports, food and nutritional protection and employment generation. Approximately, 1 per cent of the total population relies on the fishery sector in India as a primary source of income and life dependence (Ministry Statistics and Programme Implementation, 2011). Six million fishermen engage themselves directly in fishing and another six million people are employed indirectly in fishery and related activities in India (Marine product export development Authority, 2012). The total Indian coastal length was estimated at 8129 kilometers covering nine states and two union territories, (Puducherry and Daman & Diu) of which 76 per cent of the fishermen are able to harvest each 10 to 20 kgs. of fish during the peak season of fish catch (Fisheries and Fishing Communities of India, 2012). The average income level of income of the fishermen at national level varies between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 6,000 per month. (Food and Agriculture Organization 2010). It is imperative to note that 26 per cent of the fishing villages in India are located in the areas which have very poor access to the nearby city/town (Fisheries Survey of India, 2006). Pondicherry Union Territory and Fishery – A Profile The Union Territory of Pondicherry which is renamed as Puducherry comprises of four regions viz, Puducherry, Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Mahe (Kerala) and Yanam (Andhra Pradesh). The UT of Puducherry has a total fishermen population of about 95,467 of whom 29,383 fishermen are actively engaged in fishing from 29 marine fishing villages and 23 inland fishing villages / hamlets scattered in and around about it. As many as 52 marine and inland fishing villages are located in the coastal line as well as adjacent to the coastal line. Puducherry Union Territory has one harbour in Puducherry and one in Karaikal. Two harbours are under construction in Mahe and Yanam respectively. All the marine fishing villages are considered as the ‘fish landing centers’ by the fishermen of Puducherry UT (Department of Fisheries, Puducherry, 2013). The Union Territory of Puducherry has a total coastal line of 45 kilometers, (approximately 0.55 per cent to the total Indian costal length of 8129 kilometers) of which 24 kilometers lies in Puducherry. About 1000 sq.km. of continental shelves are enriched with marine fisheries potential. The Union territory’s capital is the city of Puducherry (the total fishermen population is 95,467(7.64 per cent of total population) of which 29,383 (30.77 per cent of active fishermen) fishermen are actively engaged in fishing. (Department of Fisheries, Puducherry, 2013).