Constraints in usage of ICT and sea safety tools by trawler operators of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

The study was carried out to assess the constraints faced by trawler operators in usage of ICT and sea safety tools by trawler operators of Ratnagiri block, Maharashtra. For the study trawler operators from the seven different landing centers of Ratnagiri block were randomly selected. Information was collected from 102 trawler operators with the help of structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tool was used to study the socio-personal information and weighted average technique were used to assess the constraints faced by trawler operators in usage of ICT and sea safety tools. Result of the study revealed that, majority of trawler operators (66.67%) belongs to middle age group (41-60 years). About 78.43% trwaler operators had annual income between 100001-250000. It was observed that lack of tarining/ awareness programs, high price of ICT tools, low durability of sea safety tools was the main reasons for limiting the usage of ICT and sea safety tools among the trawler operators. Threfore it was necessary to enforce rules such as Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981 and rules, Merchant Shipping Act and Marine Fishing Policy etc in a participatory mode so as to increase usage of ICT and sea safety tools among trawler operators.