Central Marine Fisheries Research Institutes in Kochi (Kerala) and Veraval (Gujarat) conducted a study on migration patterns in the marine fisheries sector in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Interestingly, the majority of the migrants working in this sector in Gujarat are from AP.
These migrants spend nearly 10 months of the year away from their homes, moving to native places only during festivities and fishing holidays. According to the study, the financial and social status of these fishermen has improved after migration.
Vinaya Kumar Vase, a Telugu scientist working with CMFRI-Veraval said the mechanised trawlers being operated in the sea go on a voyage for nearly three to four weeks. “About 8-10 labourers are needed on each trawler. Telugu fishermen are taking advantage of this as the majority of the locals are not interested in such long fishing journeys. The better payments and the year-long work are attracting the fishermen from AP to Gujarat,” said Vinaya Kumar. The scientist added that the fishermen from AP can be found not only in Veraval, but also in Mangrol, Porbandar, Daman Diu and Okha along the Gujarat coast. “The study found that the majority of the achievements, construction of own house, increased savings, improvement in the social status, possessed assets, and the quality of education being provided to their children were all the outcomes of these continued migration of the fishermen to other places,” he said.