Rural Sociology and Psycology

1.5.9.Leadership in fisheries

 In marine fisheries and inland capture fisheries, leaders play important roles as conflicts frequently occur in several contexts. Leaders are expected to play pro active roles in diffusing the crises and also in getting enough benefits for the community. Earlier , traditional leaders were functioning in the fisheries sector and however ,now , elected leaders are more predominant. Besides leaders , people manning the religious institutions in coastal villages are also highly influencial in the decision making process among the fisherfolk. This trend is so prominent in the southern coastal districts of Tamilnadu.

As for as aquaculture is concerned,most of the farmers were earlier agriculturists.More over , they are not as densely distributed as that of coastal fisherfolk.Here also , now elected leaders are functioning.These leaders play vital roles in getting benefits from the government and other agencies for the welfare of the farmers.Their services can very effctively be used for diffusion of innovations in aquaculture. Further, these leaders in fisheries , both culture and capture, are to be enrolled as members in the governing bodies of research and extension organistions involved in fisheries to ensure participatory approaches for the development of fisheries.