PHOTOS: The precarious life of fisherfolk

Key Points:

• Pavadairayan, a 60-year-old basket man at Kasimedu harbor in Chennai, works from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., carrying heavy baskets of fish multiple times through slippery paths for about $5 a day, despite harsh conditions and limited worker rights.
• Kasimedu harbor is overcrowded, serving over 1,000 boats with around 30,000 people involved in fishing-related jobs, including fishermen, auctioneers, and fish vendors, all facing economic instability and tough working conditions.
• Nandu Kumar, a former smuggler turned fisherman and fish vendor, highlights the dangers of fishing life, including personal tragedies and the unpredictability of income, which led him to shift to selling fish for a steadier livelihood.
• Fishing communities at Kasimedu live with high risks and income volatility, often lacking government support, causing many younger people to seek other jobs, though some return to fishing due to a strong connection to the sea.
• Despite hardships, fishermen like Nizamuddin and Kumar express a deep attachment to the sea, viewing it as a source of identity, resilience, and comfort, even as they navigate the challenges of their demanding profession.