Pushed out of business
Down To Earth travels to East Midnapore in West Bengal where trawlers have spelled doom for small fisherfolk. Trawlers use big nets to sweep the ocean floor to maximise their catch. This leads to excessive fishing, leaving little stock for the smaller fishers. The trawlers' use of huge nets also disturbs the ocean floor. The number of small fishers in the area has dwindled by 50 per cent in the past six to seven years. They have to seek employment on trawlers or alternative means of livelihood.