International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade
Abstract
We compare the productivity of technology adopters to non-adopters using
a cross-sectional survey of artisanal gillnet vessels on the east coast of
Peninsular Malaysia. Technologies include cell phones, GPS, sonar, and
mechanical winches for hauling nets. Stochastic frontier analysis is used to
measure differences in production frontiers and technical efficiency scores.
Adopters of mechanical net haulers had low technical efficiency, low labor
productivity and high labor use. Electronics adopters were more productive
than non-adopters on average, but difficult to distinguish from efficient
non-adopters. This is the first paper that we know of to examine the role of
new technologies in the production process of artisanal fishers. Our results
suggest capital investments in new technology may tie the least successful
participants to the fishery despite most respondents self-reported desire to
exit. Impacts may be fishery-specific and ambiguous, so the consequences
of technology subsidies should be carefully considered in development
policy.Keywords: Fisheries Dynamics, Fish and Aquaculture Sectors Development, Fisheries Economic
