Demographics to Livelihoods: A Study of Fishing Communities in Chilika Lake, Odisha

Introduction: Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a designated Ramsar site, is a critical socio-ecological system supporting rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of nearly 200,000 fishers in Odisha, India. Despite its ecological and economic importance, the region faces mounting pressures from overfishing, mechanization, and climate change. While research has addressed ecological aspects, there remains a notable gap in understanding the socio-economic dynamics shaping fisherfolk livelihoods. Methods Employing a mixed-methods approach, primary data were collected from 384 fisher households across three high-intensity fishing villages. A structured questionnaire, refined through a pilot survey, captured information on income sources, operational costs, labor use, and perceptions of environmental change. Focus Group Discussions with fishers, cooperatives, state agencies, and the Chilika Development Authority provided qualitative depth, contextualizing the quantitative findings. Results and Discussion Stepwise regression analysis reveals that local fish sales are significantly and negatively associated with income, indicating limited profitability in local markets due to price suppression and restricted access. In contrast, fishing experience and formal education consistently emerge as strong positive predictors of income, underscoring the importance of both traditional ecological knowledge and human capital. Notably, hiring additional labor correlates negatively with income, suggesting inefficiencies in labor-intensive fishing models. These findings highlight critical trade-offs between scale and profitability in artisanal fisheries. Conclusion The study offers compelling evidence on the structural and knowledge-based drivers of fisherfolk income in Chilika. It calls for integrated policy responses focused on expanding market access, fostering skill development, optimizing labor use, and promoting cooperative models. Enhancing the socio-economic resilience of fishing communities requires aligning ecological sustainability with inclusive economic reform to unlock the full potential of this vital wetland system.