OceanLink: A Blockchain-Integrated IoT Framework for Enhancing Fishermen Safety and Livelihood Resilience

Specifically, coastal fishing communities in developing less digitalized conditions faced with limited digital access, weak connectivity during offshore voyage, and dependency on intermediaries more than staying connected in their livelihood sustenance. OceanLink, an innovative framework using blockchain integration to reach out to the need of fisherfolk for safety, connectivity and economic empowerment, is the subject of this paper. Real-time communication and location tracking of up to 100 km offshore are enabled by an OceanLink hybrid communication architecture based on long-range Wi-Fi and peer-to-peer networking. Timely dissemination of emergency alerts, weather forecasts, and vessel collision warnings, as well as the safety of fishing expeditions are greatly improved through this. The system also includes a blockchain-enabled e-commerce platform that also enables a direct, tamper proof transaction between fishermen and buyers as opposed to middlemen thereby increases share in profit margin. The framework is co designed with community stakeholders in order to promote digital literacy and long term adoption based on a sustainable social change model using the Technology Adoption Model (TAM). OceanLink is applied in the field deployment in Kerala, India, for digital inclusion and socio-economic resilience. Through the proposed solution, bridging of the digital divide, inclusive growth and a scalable model for other underserved coastal regions around the globe is contributed.