ABSTRACT

The marine fisheries is an important sector in nations economy

supporting the livelihoods of millions of people inhabiting all along the
Indian coast line. Marine Fisheries contributes to food security and provides
direct employment to over 1.5 million fisher people besides others indirectly
dependent on the sector. Both the marine and inland fishery sectors play an
important role in Indian economy. A considerable percentage to the total
population of India has made significant contribution to fisheries sector.

At present, the mobile communication technologies have reduced the

information gap between

rural and urban communities and provide the

fisherfolk option to take processes to reduce the risks, especially in case of

emergencies when fishermen were in the sea.
The present investigation was carried out to study the application of
mobile communication technologies for sustainable fisheries development.
Among the 13 coastal districts, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts were
selected and from these two districts four fishing villages namely, Threspuram,
Thoothukudi fishing harbour, Colachel and Kanyakumari were chosen for the
study based on the fisherfolk population. A total of 120 fisherfolk were selected
randomly proportionate to the size of its population and the data were collected
through interview schedule and analysed with statistical tools.

Among the fisherfolk, 41.68 per cent were middle aged and 51.67 per cent
of fisherfolk had primary level of education. The majority (93.33%) of the
fisherfolk had more than 15 years of experience in fishing. About 55.83 per cent
of fisherfolk used trawler as a fishing craft. Most of the fisherfolk (90.00%) had
fishing as the only source of income and 25.00 per cent of fisherfolk had an
annual income of Rs.1.5 -2 lakh. The majority of the fisherfolk had medium level
of innovativeness, economic motivation and scientific orientation.

The majority of the respondents were aware of the knowledge on the use
of mobile communication technologies. More than half of the fisherfolk (76.67%)
had a medium, 15.00 per cent of them had high and 8.33 per cent of the
fisherfolk had low knowledge on the use of mobile communication technologies.

All the fisherfolk used the mobile communication technologies for

exchange of fisheries related information and more than three-fourth of the
fisherfolk had used for arranging market trade and more than half of the fisherfolk
were usedthe mobile communication technologies for alerts during emergencies.

Among fisherfolk, 83.33 per cent indicated that the lack of knowledge in
English was the major constraint. About 70 per cent of fisherfolk mentioned that
the lack of accuracy of information was a constraint in fishing.

The mobile communication technologies have brought optimistic changes

which have supported the fisherfolk and have improved the living standard.
Mobile communication technologies have also made the fisherfolk very active in
making their good business. If the Government and non- governmental
organisations provide sufficient information related to fisheries through mobile
communication technologies, it would lead to sustainable fisheries development.