Socio-Economic Conditions of Marine Fishermen in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

India is one of the top ten fish producing countries in the world in terms of production and export of sea food. Fishing is considered to be a strong source of income and employment. The sector has made a substantial contribution to foreign exchange. The present paper appraised the Socio-economic positions of marine fishermen of Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram District. In the present study, both quantifiable and categorical data were collected by virtue of interview schedule and analyzed by using statistical tools like; Chi-square test, Ranking scales and Factor analysis. The analysis signifies the socio-economic status of marine fishermen, problems faced and important factors which determines their standard of living, expectation of benefits from the Government. Chi-square test betrays income status, savings culture, duration of fishing, consumption habits of the respondents. Ranking scales patrons the expectation of benefits from the Government and the Factor analysis designate the problems on marketing of fishes & the factors influencing the level of satisfaction of marine fishermen towards their occupation. The study concludes that the fishermen are in generally poor, semiliterate, illiterate; poor family income, gargantuan associated with destitute financial inputs have left many of the fishermen in an impoverished economic status. Further the proper marketing and storage facilities for the yield is need of the hour. The suggestions of these findings and the significance of the study are discussed and the outcomes of the present research useful for the Policy Makers.