The sea holds promise... and despair. Living off the sea today is a battle not only with treacherous currents and watery graves but with the insidious tides of industrial fishing that sweep away small fishermen and ravage the seas with their ecological impact. Waves of protest by traditional fishermen worldwide, fighting for an equitable and sustainable livelihood, have led to awareness and recognition in bureaucratic corridors of their rights in theory – but not always in practice. The debate continues, the protests go on and a community known for its indomitable spirit struggles relentlessly.

Machchimar Nagar (Fishermen’s Colony) Cuffe Parade, Mumbai: Even the air here smells different. Salted sea-spray. The smell of aging fish. Of freshly netted fish. Curried and fried fish.