Technological Innovations and Sustainable Practices in Fishing Vessels: A Systematic Literature Review

The fisheries industry faces increasing sustainability challenges from environmental, economic, and social perspectives, which directly affect fishing vessels as its primary infrastructure. This study conducted a systematic literature review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines to evaluate technological innovations that improve the sustainability of fishing vessels. Comprehensive searches were performed in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore, covering the period 2020–2024. The searches identified 756 articles, of which 105 met the predefined eligibility criteria after screening titles, abstracts, and full texts. Each innovation was categorised and analysed based on its functional vessel domain, contribution to environmental, economic, and social sustainability, maturity level using the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) framework, and relevance to Circular Economy (CE) principles. The results indicate that most innovations focus on environmental sustainability, particularly on emission reduction and energy efficiency. Social sustainability remains under-addressed, especially in terms of labour conditions and gender equality. CE principles are present in some initiatives but are not yet fully integrated into vessel design or operation. Most innovations are at medium TRL stages, with adoption limited by financial, infrastructural, and institutional barriers, especially in small-scale fisheries. Future research should address these gaps by enhancing CE integration and promoting a more balanced attention across all three sustainability dimensions.