They are not afraid of this leap into the sea. It is a livelihood

They are not afraid of this leap

Most of us are afraid to venture out to sea, even though we love to see the sea. But the sea is the livelihood of women in fishing villages from Pampan to Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The women here find the pathway to eternal cost by collecting algae from the sea.

Women who wear saris, and wrapped the cloth around their fingers, and cover their eyes, are a regular sight in Tamil Nadu fishing areas. Women here are not the place to be afraid of the sea and water. They leave early in the morning to collect coral reefs and seaweed. They sail to the sea in boats for a fixed distance, and they dive into the sea. This sea-dive is a livelihood for women in coastal areas of pampas to Thoothukudi. 

They are collecting seaweed from the depths of the sea, and it will be deposited in a sack strapped to the waist. These will then be shipped to vendors. At least 25 kg a day will be stored by a person. And they will be earned rupees 300 per day. The depths of the sea are not frightening to them, but it is a livelihood.

But today the forest department's regulations and climate change are setbacks. But they are not prepared to back down.       Alcohol and ailments in men are the reason why women in this area selected this way early on. It was then passed on to generations. Most of the girls do not go to school. Their school is this sea, and their education is this job.