Socio-economic Factors Influencing Technology Adoption among Fishermen Operating Motorized Fishing Craft

Abstract

In Kerala, there are about 1.90 lakh active marine
fishermen operating about 14 151 motorized fishing
craft. The investment pattern, number of fishing
days, fuel utilization and technological changes in
the motorized fishing sector during the recent years
indicate the extent of investment on fishing units,
the relationship between the extent of adoption of
technologies and the corresponding annual income.
This paper presents the results of a study conducted
among random samples of 33 fishermen respondents
in Thiruvananthapuram district and 31 fishermen
respondents in Alappuzha district operating
8.4 m LOA motorized FRP craft. It is seen that
monofilament gillnets for mackerel, sardine and
other were mostly operated by the fishermen in the
FRP craft. Single day fishing was practised and night
fishing was not undertaken by these respondents.
The adoption behaviour scores explained the extent
of adoption of various improved practices/technologies
and the variables influencing the technology
adoption were determined in the multiple regression
analysis. The constraints such as poor landing
centre facilities, inadequate kerosene subsidy, inadequate
developmental/extension schemes, ever-increasing
maintenance costs, diminishing fish catches,
ever-increasing fuel prices, occasional conflicts with
the mechanised boat operators, ineffective insurance
coverage, damages caused to the fishing gears by
puffer fishes, inadequate relief measures during
natural calamities, financial constraints and excessive
fishing capacity were reported as factors
inhibiting the adoption of sustainable fishing
practices.