From Harbor to High Seas: A Qualitative Exploration of I-boat Awareness among Small-Scale Fishing Communities

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries constitute a critical livelihood for coastal communities across India. Small-scale fisheries sector undergone significant modernization since 1980s. The emergence of AI-driven maritime technologies such as I-boat, an autonomous, wind-propelled, sensor-integrated vessel capable of monitoring coastal-maritime ecosystems and enhancing navigational safety for small-scale fishing operations. However the extent to which this potential is realized depends fundamentally on the awareness and readiness of the fishing community itself. This qualitative study explores the awareness levels of small-scale fishermen at Chellanam Harbour, Ernakulam district, Kerala regarding I-boat technology. Primary data collected from 60 active fishermen through in-depth interactions conducted in Malayalam. The study finds that awareness of I-boat among fishermen in Chellanam harbor is partial and uneven. The absence of Malayalam language interface, infrastructural constraints and lack of systematic institutional training are the critical barriers, making I-boat inaccessible to the majority of fishermen. The findings of the study underscore the need for community-embedded, harbor-based awareness programmes delivered through fisheries department. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on ICT adoption in small-scale fisheries.