Marine species conservation awareness and community perceptions among tribal fishers of Car Nicobar, India

R Kiruba-Sankar; Sirisha Adamala; Murugesan SriHari; K Saravanan; J Praveenraj; Jessica Barman; Sonia

doi:10.21077/

Authors

R Kiruba-Sankar Fisheries Science Division, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Post Box 181, Garacharma, Port Blair Andaman and Nicobar Islands - 744101
Sirisha Adamala
Murugesan SriHari
K Saravanan
J Praveenraj
Jessica Barman
Sonia

https://doi.org/10.21077/

Keywords:

Car Nicobar, Marine Conservation , Community Awareness, traditional fishers , Stakeholder perceptions

Abstract

Understanding the perceptions, attitudes, and awareness levels of tribal fishers who interact daily with fragile marine ecosystems is vital, as these communities depend heavily on these resources for their livelihood and food security. Nicobarese fishers (n=195) from Car Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal were interviewed to assess their knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards marine conservation, including perceptions of species protection, enforcement, community participation; threats to marine biodiversity and the sustainability of marine fauna. Awareness of conservation regulations was moderate, with 81% of respondents familiar with Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and 72% supporting protected status for marine species, citing rarity and their restricted distribution as key reasons. However, institutional mechanisms were weak, 74% of respondents reported lack of tribal-level management plans, while 97% indicated that no formal legal framework for marine conservation existed within tribal councils. Nearly all respondents (97%) reported encountering rare marine species encountering during fishing activities, but their responses varied, with 44% releasing such speice back into the wild, and 27% consuming them. Perception scores reflected strong support for species conservation (4.02±0.68) and enforcement measures (3.97±0.62), although confidence in existing management practices and community consensus was only moderate. Generalised Linear Model (GLM) analysis revealed that age, fishing experience, and especially education were significant predictors of conservation awareness (p<0.05), whereas village-level variations were not significant. The findings emphasised a strong conservation commitment among Car Nicobar’s fishing communities, but also revealed weak institutional frameworks and community mechanisms. To better align conservation knowledge with sustainable marine resource management, it is crucial to strengthen environmental education, establish conservation regulations through tribal councils, and launch targeted awareness campaigns.

Keywords: Marine conservation, Socio-demographics, Community awareness, Traditional fisheries, Stakeholder perceptions

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Author Biographies

Sirisha Adamala

Scientist,

National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Maharashtra
Murugesan SriHari

Assistant Professor

College of Fisheries, Tripura, Central Agricultural University
K Saravanan

Senior Scientist

ICAR Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture
J Praveenraj

Scientist

ICAR Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Jessica Barman

Researcher

ICAR Central Island Agricultural Research Institute
Sonia

Researcher

ICAR Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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