Livelihood Resilience and Economic Shocks: Evidence from Marine Fisher folk Households in Southern India

This study evaluates the economic viability of marine fisher folk households in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, two major maritime states in southern India. To determine economic resilience's main drivers, the study used mixed methodologies, including Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The study uses secondary data from state fishing agencies and a cross-sectional survey of 384 houses. Tamil Nadu fishermen earn more, yet their income is inconsistent, their expenses are high, and government support is inadequate. In contrast, Kerala families enjoy less economic volatility, stronger cooperative networks, higher SHG membership, and better social services.Engagement with institutions, notably SHGs and welfare projects like PMMSY and fisher insurance, boosts enterprise profitability and minimises vulnerability, according to study. Decentralised government and village-level cooperation improve household income stability, according to HLM research. Structural Equation Modelling suggests that net profit, income volatility, educational attainment, debt burden, and health insurance impact resilience implicitly. Resilience depends on institutional inclusion, financial management, and social capital, not financial earnings.Policies highlight the need for community-engaged, localised initiatives rather than infrastructure-centric ones. Enhancing SHG infrastructure, formalising fisher credit, integrating maritime health services, and emphasising resilience-building women are key proposals. This study shows how state-level institutional frameworks might help small-scale fishers achieve an inclusive and resilient livelihood.