Is fishing degrading work?

Today is not only international Human Rights Day but also Maldives' Fishermen's Day.

Which brings to my mind: until the advent of tourism 50 years ago, fisheries was the main livelihood of Maldivians.

So I can't understand why Maldivians now use "Mahah Dhey" (literally, "Go Fishing") as a derogatory term.

Could it be because we now consider fishing as an unavoidable degrading task - an occupation we are forced into for survival purposes?

Or, are there other reasons why fishing has lost its luster?

Fishermen, skippers and boat crews used to be respected among island communities, so I can't understand why fishing is now perceived as unpleasant work.