IMPACTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE FISHERIES SECTOR OF CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH

Abstract

Fisheries resources are one of the mainstays of the economy of the country. COVID-19 epidemic crisis hampered the economic advancement of the country and also loss of livelihood as well as human being through the different perspectives. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the livelihoods of approximately 1.8 million individuals working in Bangladesh's fisheries and aquaculture industries. Present study was carried out to assess the economic impact of the current COVID-19 crisis on the fisheries sector of the Chattogram as well as explore the resilience features perceived by stakeholders to withstand pandemic associated threats through a fundamental survey. The study was carried out for a period of 12 months from October 2020 to September 2021. In the study areas, approximately 319 interviews using semi-structured questionnaires were conducted with professionals in the fisheries sectors, including fish auctioneers (Aratdar), wholesalers, retailers, fish farmers, fishing labors, ice vendors, transport workers, fishermen, and consumers. It was observed that fishermen and other supply chain actors have encountered several challenges as a result of COVID-19 in Chattogram including limited input supplies, a lack of technical support, inability to market their products, a lack of transportation to market, export restrictions on fish and fishery products, and low fish prices. By altering fish availability and demand, fish distribution, labor, and production, the pandemic has exposed pre-existing vulnerabilities and limited resilience, posing a threat to the well-being of small-scale fishing households. Fish producers have also had to deal with a lack of inputs and technical support, as well as market constraints, transportation challenges, and low prices. As a result, there has been insufficient output, unintended stock retention, loss of returns, and food scarcity. This study concludes the overall impact of the pandemic on fisheries sector of Chattogram district is enormous for different level of fish values chain through supplier, producer to consumer levels. In the research, short- and long-term recovery strategies are suggested as to address the COVID- 19 problem in terms of urgent and long-term demands for the fishing sector's short and long-term development.