DOCTORAL STUDENT; ADJUNCT FACULTY INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Overview: This Phenomenological study gives insights into the economic disparities and the plight among the traditional fisherfolk from India. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study has identified four major themes and two dichotomies. Developing alternative livelihoods and designing just profit-sharing structures are proper ways to meet their plight.Proposal text: Background and
Purpose: This Phenomenological study gives insights into the economic disparities and the plight among the traditional minority fisherfolk from the District of Kollam, Kerala (State), India. India's fisheries sector remains the sustenance of much impoverished traditional fisherfolk who have limited income despite the long hours of hard work and are often pushed to the Below Poverty Line (BPL). The study aims to explore the lived experiences of the fishers/anglers' daily economic struggles and their plight.
Methods: Seven in-depth interviews with fisherfolk ranging from marine (ocean/sea), inland (lake and river), and fish vending sectors (fish markets) were conducted. Five of the participants were fish vending women and two fishermen, one from the marine and another from the inland sector. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) guidelines. The study identified twenty-three 'emergent themes' based on the 'exploratory comments' and observations made on the data and four 'major themes' or 'clustered themes' further generated. The study has employed an idiographic approach to explore each participant for a subjective and unique capture of their lived economic struggles and unfortunate situation.
Results: Four major themes identified are: 1. The economic deadlock and unjust market structure; 2. No dignified life; 3. Challenges in alternative livelihood; and 4. Economic pressures due to family responsibilities. In addition, two potential dichotomies are identified: the economic deadlock versus alternative livelihood and community stigma versus community commitment. As per the IPA guidelines, the initial analysis of the data reveals that the fisherfolk's economic vulnerability has a great deal with the unjust marketing structure, absence of alternative jobs, and improper financial plans prevalent in the fisheries sector in India. Further, the secondary analysis of the data reveals that a more significant chunk of income is appropriated by intermediaries (middlemen) who decide the market price, and the actual fisherfolk has no say over it. Due to the intermediaries/mediators' unnecessary intervention, seasonal work, and other established ban periods for fishing, it is challenging for anglers to meet the household's average expenses. Conclusion and Implication: The attendees will gain enriching knowledge about an international issue of an impoverished fisherfolk community. As social workers, the implications include designing conscientization programs that can positively impact the economic deadlock existing in traditional fishing villages in India. Further, by developing alternative livelihood and designing just profit-sharing structures in the fisheries industry to help traditional fishers meet their plight. In addition, the study results help challenge the inefficacy of the National Fisheries Policy (NFP) 2020 India and create efforts to establish an equitable social and economic system enhancing the overall well-being and capability of the fisherfolk. Finally, a global conversation needs to happen considering the significance of this human rights issue to support and validate the voices of the fisherfolk in international arenas. The presenter will primarily focus on the background and purpose of the study (5 minutes), methods (7minutes), results (8 minutes), and social work implications (5 minutes), and the last five minutes will be for any questions or clarifications.
