Traditional access rights and methods of fishing in inland water bodies: Are women slowly losing out? A study from Kerala, India

Abstract Gender divisions are often stereotypical in fisheries, and only recently has their role in wild fish capture begun to see light, with evidence indicating that fish harvest by women can be substantial, especially in small-scale fisheries. The state of Kerala on the southwest coast of India is one of the major fish-producing states in the country. However, what is not well recognized is that women are extensively involved in fishing, especially in inland water bodies. In this communication, we use a gender analysis framework to situate the women in selected inland fisheries through case studies, document the methods of fishing, and explore how the fish catch is utilized. We further look at whether changes in the use of inland water bodies and other external factors are impacting their fishing activity. Using social relations analysis, we try to understand the changing resource access dynamics. Access rights to many of these water resources were based on informal and customary arrangements. These arrangements are now severely stressed due to the need to accommodate multiple uses of these resources. Changes in access will in the long run have an impact with women slowly losing out on this important, though unrecognized, livelihood activity which will also affect essential nutrition and supplementary income to fisher households.