Andaman Nicobar Fishing Cooperative Island Community

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a rich fishing community cooperative tradition involving mainland settler fishermen, Bengal-origin migrants, and in permitted areas near some outer islands, cooperatives that support sustainable fishing operations in the coral reef and deep-sea zones. Cooperative fishing societies at Phoenix Bay, Aberdeen Bazaar, and Bamboo Flat in South Andaman organise collective ice-plant access, cold storage, and boat engine fuel purchase. Deep-sea tuna, grouper, and snapper are the primary catch. Andaman Fisheries Cooperative Society markets fish to Port Blair hotels and to mainland processors. Cooperative members benefit from NABARD fishery credit and National Fisheries Development Board boat-engine subsidy. Traditional fish-drying cooperatives supply dried salted fish to mainland markets.