Seashells make Rameswaram fisherwomen economically sustainable

More than a hundred women from the fishing villages walk towards the shores, off the coast of Dhanushkodi, in search of the shells. They collect the seashells, clean and sell them and try to earn a livelihood, thus taking home an extra few rupees for their families.

These women are otherwise confined to their homes and the setting in of the North-East monsoon has brought a smile on their faces as they also get an opportunity to enjoy the cool weather along the shores, which is otherwise hot during most times of the year. 

Janaki, a fisherwomen residing on New Street at Rameswaram, informs that the seashell collecting season commences at the end of October and will go on till the end of March.   

“It is only the direction of winds that carry the shells to the coast. The shells are abundant only in the southern seas (Gulf of Mannar area). This year, the number of shells is large compared to the previous years,” elaborated Janaki. 

“We begin work early in the morning around 6 am,” said Muneeswari. She also informed that woman can reach Dhanushkodi by bus in the morning and work till 3 pm. They collect different types of shells and hand them over it to a shell company. They are paid based on the number and variety of the shells. 

If loose shells are handed over they will be given Rs.10 per measure (a standard measure is used by the companies) and if they string the shells together they would be paid Rs.20 per measure. The women easily make around Rs.3,000 per month and it is an additional source of income to the families. The Gulf of Mannar is one of the richest marine biodiversity hot spots in the country. The region also boasts of abundant fishing resources.