The scent of fish lingers on every surface. A fine sheen of water on the ground below. The sun barely peaks out between clouds and sleepy eyes. Men tie knots and dump crates, spilling out every shape and size of a variety of sea creatures, caught during their early morning expedition. And women! Women in bright colored saris touch and sort and throw and pile the fish by price and size. People rush past with crates and boxes balanced precariously on their heads, fins and tentacles spilling over the sides. Customers shout and bargain, holding their cash tightly in their hands until exchanged for a smile and a hastily tied plastic bag of sardines. Men might catch the fish, but women are in charge here – India’s fishing harbors. Women buy and women sell. The cash flows through their hands, and they make sure they get what it’s worth. The men tie up their boats to go get their morning chai or go back to sleep, but the women forge on. Buying, selling, sorting, cleaning, with the seagulls waiting in the wake for the refuse scattered on the ground. These pictures are from Mangalore, Diu and Malpe ports. Click to see more.