The economic organization of fishing societies show many patterns of similarities and differences .
Geographical distribution:
| North America | i) Copper Eskimo of Alaska. ii) Haida of British Columbia , iii) Attawapiskat Red Indian in Canada |
| South America | Yahgan Red Indians in Chile. |
| Asia | Shui – jen in South China. |
| Oceania | i) Manus in New Guinea. ii) Ellice islanders in Micronesia. iii) Solomon islanders in Polynesia. |
| Africa | i) Coastal Dahomecans in West Africa. ii) Costal groups in South Africa. |
Characteristics:
1) Sedentary life – Fishing economies usually have as potential for supporting huger and more sedentary populations because fish have much higher reproductive rates than most land animals, As a result , it is easier for fishing people’s to have a sedentary life.
2) Support high population density – The areas suited to a predominant fishing economy are not only very limited but are scattered and strong out along thin coastal strips, As fishing supports larger populations, the population density will be high.
3) Large-sized self sufficient village communities – Almost 49% of the fishing societies live in large sized village communities. The non-depletion of food resources and the advantage of secure food supplies promote large sized self sufficient village communities.
4) Elaborate economic resources:
a) Technology : it is very complex. it includes boats, harpoons, machine boats, spears , bows-arrows, several varieties of nets like throw nets, sien nets, gargets , hooks , traps , weirs , stupefying substances etc .
b) Division of labour – Men do fishing go for hunting wild animals. Women gather vegetable products, turtle eggs, crabs and some marine animals washed ashore – Men and women work together in processing, preserving and storing. Some men also specialize in wood working, canoe building , basket making and weaving of nets.
c) Land Ownership – Fishing societies adapt to the aquatic environments than to the terrestrial. They work only a small fraction of the large bodies of water like an ocean , a sea or a large lake. The kinds of boat they use prevent them from going beyond a certain limit. There are specific rules regarding the use of fishing areas. The fishing area is divided into specific zones , each according to the availability of specific types of fish and specific nature of the water conditions who have to fish in what zone is stipulated. Some are communal zones and some are special zones meant for use of specific lineages or clans. In Fiji and New Zealand some villages create fish breeding areas in the lagoons by raising bunds.
d) Capital: Fishing societies depend upon simple capital in terms of numerous tools and several types of equipment . The tools and equipment includes canoes , boats , spears , bows and arrows , hooks , gargets , nets , salt, stupefying materials, formation of special areas for fish breeding. knowledge about migration of different types of fish. skills in magic , skills of processing and preserving the fish and fish products and knowledge of land surroundings and the relevant ecology .
e) Production – The harvest of fish from the sea follows yearly cycle. The availability of fish depends upon ecological conditions like movement of fish, starting of seasons , maintenance of temperature etc. usually , huge quantities of fish are collected. There is surplus production. The surplus is stored and used as commodity for sales , Therefore , trade links one fishing community with another fishing community and the fishing communities with non-fishing communities.
f) Distribution: The distribution of the goods produced depends upon definite rules .First , the family distributes part of what is produces among its members and sells away the surplus through trade. Secondly, in some fishing societies, which have chiefdoms , individual families pay tribute to the chiefs. Thirdly, when fisher folks conduct fishing expeditions by collective effort , the leader of the team gets a major share and others get lesser shares. Fourthly , distribution involves reciprocity . For example , the Eskimos , practice fur trade in which they sell the fur of the seal to the white people. The worth of the fur and the money paid for the fur are considered as of equal value. Therefore, this speaks of balanced reciprocity. The whole transaction is also called a trade -barter. Distribution also involves re-distribution. It occurs among the Tsimihian , Salish , Kwakiutl and other native peoples of North Western Coast in Canada. It is a special form of distribution of valuable goods in a formal ceremonial manner . It is called potlatch.
g) Political Leadership – There is a hierarchy of officers of common leaders for controlling the behaviour of the deviants and for maintaining the village and tribal solidarity . Leaders organize work for peace meant for sea faring activities and hunting activity. With reference to distribution of catch , a leader gets more than the members. In fact , the leader gets a major share. Further the tribal chief gets annual tribute from neighbouring family .
h) polytheistic religion – Fishing societies have polytheistic religions. As they are associated with sea , lakes , and rivers, land as well as forest areas , they worship a large number of supernatural powers and several spirits. They believe that specific spirits will be presiding over specific zones , specific routes and specific days and timings. Before and after the fishing activities , they worship several water spirits and water Goddesses.
In addition to Worshipping, they worship their ancestors, their clan divinities or totemism. And also conduct several ceremonies for improving the breeding areas of fish. Thus, the fishing societies are polytheistic in religion.
i) Feuding and Warfare – in fishing societies like the Eskimo fends between one band and another band are rare. Whenever fends occur , they are resolved by discussion by both the parties. Among the fishing societies located in West African and South African Coast , fends aim ones fishing zones, which are settled by the leaders in the settlements who are considered as minor officials. Armed aggression or war is also rare among the most advanced fishing societies like the North -West Coast Red Indians in Canada.