An Exploratory Analysis of Livelihood Conditions and Socio-economic Challenges Among Fishermen in the Southern Bengal Wetlands

Socio-economic status of an individual is their position in the society based on education, occupation and income. Artisanal fishermen who practise fishery in beels, boars or jheels use traditional crafts and gears for their economic status is precarious which hinders them to move on to sophisticated scientific tools and advanced machineries. In freshwater wetland ecosystems, the artisanal fishermen rely solely on seasonal catches and often face unpredictable yields due to environmental conditions. Educational attainment among the fishermen communities of South Bengal is still on the lower side which limits their ability to attain a secure livelihood through alternative or secondary sources Incomes are typically modest and irregular which barely covers their basic needs while leaving little to no room for savings and/or emergencies. The skills involved in fishing might get specialised with experience but these skills are non- transferable in nature. Adding to these challenges, larger family sizes put a heavy strain on the limited resources further as more members depend on a single and unstable income source. These factors such as poor education, uncertain income, specialised but narrow skills, family with many members all create a cycle of economic vulnerability that keeps many artisanal fishing families trapped in poverty.