The marine fish productivity in Palk Bay, in Tamil Nadu is comparatively higher than the other coastal regions of the state due to rich eco systems the region endowed with. The region is biologically rich in mangroves wetlands, sea grass, corals, estuaries and large lagoons and is undisturbed by ship traffic because of their shallow waters. The coral reefs that are found to the North of Mandapam are considered to be the seat of biological diversity. "Sea grass meadows and seaweeds found in Palk Bay form an ecosystem which supports a variety of commercially important fish. Seagrass forms the exclusive diet of dugongs, an endangered species. Seagrass also controls coastal erosion." The region is home to about 600 varieties of fish, including 200 that are commercially important. About 90% of the Mangrove forests in Tamilnadu are concentrated only in the Palk Bay region. The mangroves wetland is a multiple use ecosystem that provides productive, protective and economic benefits to coastal communities. Mangroves are dominant features in the tropical coastline where salinity undergoes constant variation due to fresh water flow. Palk bay is one of the region where the fresh water flow is highest wherein the tributaries of Cauvery, Coleroon and numerous small streams drains into the bay of Bengal.

The ecosystem of Palk Bay which contributes for the rich marine fish production in the region at present is under threat due to destructive fishing habits in the region. The indiscriminate use of bottom trawling, usage of destructive nets such as purse seine, habitat destructive fishing habits, coral mining, dynamite fishing, effluent disposal from the aquaculture farms etc., contributes to the destruction of the most important marine eco systems in the region. This would lead to a definite reduction of fishery resources in the region ultimately affecting the fishing activity and particularly the traditional fishers in the region of Pak Bay.

The Palk Bay region extends from Point Calimere in Nagapattinam down to Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu with a total coastal stretch of about 294 Km. It constitutes 27% of the coast line of Tamil Nadu with 10 coastal blocks falling in the districts of Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudhukottai and Ramanathapuram district. There are 238 Marine fishing villages located in the stretch of 294 Km with the total fisher population of 2.3 lakhs. Ramanathapuram district (of which a major portion falls in Palk Bay region) has the maximum number of fisher folk house holds in the state amounting to 20.2%. Also in the case of fisher population the district ranks first in the state with 22.1 % of the district population falling under marine fishing community.

The over all aim of the study is to assess the disaster risk and vulnerabilities and livelihood related risks and vulnerabilities of the traditional fishing community and to arrive at possible areas of interventions. In this context the specific objectives of the study are to:

• Study the socio economic background of traditional fishers and its change over the years.
• Understand the traditional fishers’ livelihood pattern, extent of dependence on different livelihoods, and its change over the years.
• Study the impact of natural disasters on the livelihoods of traditional fishers.
• Study the role and contribution of different programmes which are being implemented by different agencies to address the livelihood risks of traditional fishers.
• Derive possible areas of intervention to sustain their livelihoods.

• The sample survey in each village covering 50 house holds.
• The secondary data from relevant departments and research institutions.
• The primary data collection through a detailed survey covering traditional fishers both male and female and labours involved in fishing.
• The Key informants interviews with Village leaders, Resource persons (research, academia), and Leaders of Community organisations, NGO’s involved in coastal livelihoods and related government official.
• Appropriate Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques.
• Focused group discussions to understand the specific and broader issues in their livelihoods.
• Case studies to record the experiences of traditional fisher folks.