Assessment of Occupational Hazards and Role of Life-Saving Gadgets Among Small-Scale Motorised Fishers on India's Southernmost Coasts

Mariadason, Sabu and Preethi, V P and Shinoj, P (2025) Assessment of Occupational Hazards and Role of Life-Saving Gadgets Among Small-Scale Motorised Fishers on India's Southernmost Coasts. Journal of Agromedicine, 30 (2). pp. 395-406.

Text JOURNAL OF AGROMEDICINE_2025_Shinoj P.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Objective: Marine fishing ranks among the most hazardous occupations globally, with risksintensifying for small-sized vessels venturing deeper into the sea due to the scarcity of near-shore fish and high market demand. This study identifies various occupational hazards and theuse of safety equipment among small-scale motorized fishers using traditional fishing methods inthe southernmost coastal regions of India.Methods: The primary data were collected from 253 artisanal small-scale motorized fishersthrough a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. For this purpose, a structured interviewschedule, comprising both closed and open-ended questions was employed. The RelativeImportance Index (RII) was utilized to compare fishers’ perceived impact across various occupa-tional hazard categories, while the frequency distribution of the adoption of life-saving gadgetsacross various adoption categories was analyzed based on the adoption rate to assess the usagepatterns of available life-saving devices.Results: The findings indicate environmental, psychological, and vessel-related hazards have thegreatest impact on fishers, with specific hazards including “cyclones”, “collisions”, “capsizing”,“high currents”, “lack of visibility”, “fatigue”, “stress”, “anxiety”, and “insomnia”. Despite awarenessof safety measures, the usage of life jackets and life buoys remains low among fishers. Fishers inmotorized crafts benefit from modern communication and navigation tools to mitigate sea-related uncertainties (Mobile phone − 84.19%, GPS − 87.75%, VHF radio − 67.98%, AIS − 20.16%).Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for strict enforcement of safety measuresduring the registration and renewal processes for fishing vessels. Enhancing safety in this sectornecessitates increased safety awareness, comprehensive training, and regular annual inspections.

Actions (login required)

View Item