Technological Innovations in Small-Scale Artisanal Fisheries: A Systematic Literature Review of Opportunities, Barriers, and Future Directions

<ns3:p>Small-scale artisanal fisheries (SSF) are fundamental to global food security and local livelihoods, representing 90% of the world’s fishers and providing nearly half of the global catch for human consumption. Despite their significance, the sector faces escalating threats from climate change, overfishing, and socio-economic marginalization. This systematic literature review evaluates the current landscape of technological innovations designed to enhance the resilience and sustainability of SSF. The study categorizes key advancements into five domains: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), post-harvest infrastructure, sustainable fishing gear, and digital e-commerce platforms. Findings indicate that while tools such as open-source vessel tracking (e.g., PeskAAS), solar-powered cold storage, and blockchain traceability offer significant potential to reduce post-harvest losses and increase fisher income, widespread adoption is hindered by high initial costs, technical literacy gaps, and inadequate infrastructure. Furthermore, social constraints and the historical exclusion of women in governance remain critical barriers. The review concludes that bridging the gap between innovation and real-world application requires a shift toward community-led, gender-inclusive governance and the integration of traditional local knowledge with modern digital tools. Actionable future steps include the development of low-cost, deep-ocean communication sensors and the implementation of equitable subsidy reforms to support small-scale operators.</ns3:p>