Abstract:
The major developments in the field of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) have transformed the world more than any other technological
invention. ICTs and fisherfolk cannot be seemingly related, but not anymore these
days. Fisheries have been playing significant roles in the social and economic
development of the country. On the other hand, ICTs can help fisherfolk a lot. The
broad objective of the study is to assess the extent of use of ICTs by fisherfolk in
the Kutubdia Island. In this study, researchers have used descriptive survey
methods to collect primary information. Besides, data from secondary sources
have also been used. To carry out this research, 60 respondents have been
selected from Kutubdia Island of Bangladesh. The socioeconomic condition of
these fisherfolk is not so good. However, all of the fisherfolk use mobile phone,
radio and radar while they are out in the sea. They also use other ICT tools like
computer, television, Internet, newspaper, sonar, wireless and GPS. They use
these tools to know, search, distribute and share information and weather updates;
track fish swarm, increase income, save time and assist shipping. A minor section
of the fisherfolk do not use ICTs because they still depend on the traditional ways
of catching fish. The study has found out that these fisherfolk face many problems
in gaining access to ICTs which include lack of uninterrupted power supply,
insufficient finance, lack of enabling government policies and lack of training on
ICTs.
