Capture Fishery and Rural Socio-Economic Development- A Study of Three Fishing Villages of Cachar District, Assam

An investigation was carried out in three fishing villages, namely Amtila, Boiragitila and Lalmati of Cachar district, Assam to generate baseline information on status of capture fishery and how it moulds socio-economic life of rural fisherfolk. The study revealed low CPUE and low income leading to increased poverty and its consequences. There is always a cyclic relationship in between production (based on capture per unit effort) and poverty. Once production is increased, proper marketing strategy can lead to poverty alleviation and once poverty is alleviated, production can be increased by using scientific measures and modern technologies. Application of sustainable practices for fisheries management can only restore and increase productivity, facilitating long-term capture fisheries and socio-economic condition of fishermen leading to rural development.