noun
male diver; male shell diver
Specifically a male diver who collects shellfish, seaweed, etc. Often contrasted with 海女 (あま, female diver). The kanji 海人 and 海士 are especially used for this sense.
See also: 海女
この村では、海人が海に潜って貝を取っている。
In this village, male divers dive into the sea to collect shellfish.
noun
General term for a fisherman. The kanji 海人 and the rare 蜑 are used for this sense. In modern Japanese, 漁師 (りょうし) is more common.
昔話には、海人が大きな魚を釣り上げる話がある。
In old tales, there are stories of fishermen catching huge fish.
The reading あま is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 海 (うみ) or an ancient word for sea people. The kanji 海人 literally means 'sea person', 海士 'sea warrior/gentleman', and 蜑 is a specific character for 'fisherman'.