Socio-economic status of fishermen operating FRP boats in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu: a special focus on poverty and income inequality

Socio-economic status is a major indicator of livelihood and the two crucial factors determining livelihood are poverty and income inequality. The present study assessed the livelihood status of fishermen operating fibre re-inforced plastic (FRP) boats (motorised) of 9-10 m LOA. Socio-economic status, including poverty and income inequality of fishermen, comprising both owners (FRPO) and labourers (FRPL) of FRP boats were estimated. The average daily per capita income earned by FRPO and FRPL were `1256 and `105 respectively. It was low for FRPL during low income level and was almost same as the poverty line described by World Bank ($1.25 per day). The Gini-coefficient revealed high level of income equality among the fishermen. The quintile income distribution of 20% of the richest and poorest indicate no inequality among the fishermen operating FRP boat.