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Assessing Impacts of Covid-19 on Aquatic Food System and Small-scale Fisheries in Bangladesh

Atiqur Rahman Sunny
Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh and Suchana Project, WorldFish, Bangladesh Office, House# 22B, Road# 07, Block-F, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Sharif Ahmed Sazzad
Research Officer, Pathfinder Agro and Fisheries Consultation Center, Bangladesh and Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Shamsul Haque Prodhan
Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Md. Ashrafuzzaman
Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Gopal Chandra Datta
Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ashoke Kumar Sarker
Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mizanur Rahman
Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Mahmudul Hasan Mithun
Department of Fisheries Biology and Aquatic Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

COVID-19 is now a major global health crisis, can lead to severe food crisis unless proper measures are taken. Though a number of scientific studies have addressed the possible impacts of COVID-19 in Bangladesh on variety of issues, problems and food crises associated with aquatic resources and communities are missing. Therefore, this study aimed at bridging the gap in the existing situation and challenges of COVID-19 by linking its impact on aquatic food sector and small-scale fisheries with dependent population. The study was conducted based on secondary data analysis and primary fieldwork. Secondary data focused on COVID-19 overview and number of confirmed, recovered and death cases in Bangladesh; at the same time its connection with small-scale fisheries, aquatic food production, demand and supply was analyzed. Community perceptions were elicited to present how the changes felt and how they affected aquatic food system and small-scale fisheries and found devastating impact. Sudden illness, reduced income, complication to start production and input collection, labor crisis, transportation abstraction, complexity in food supply, weak value chain, low consumer demand, rising commodity prices, creditor’s pressure were identified as the primary affecting drivers. Dependent people felt the measures taken by the Government should be based on protecting both the health and food security. Scope of alternative income-generating opportunities, rationing system, training and motivational program could improve the situation. The study provides insight into policies adopted by the policymakers to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on aquatic food sector and small-scale fisheries.

Keywords: COVID-19 Corona virus, Aquatic food system, Food security, Small-scale fisheries, Bangladesh

Location: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Feed, Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To identify the trend of challenges and status of different agricultural sectors, sub-sectors and dependent communities regarding which factors are most responsible to trigger the challenges and which factors further interact to deteriorate the situation.

Methodology:

Study areas: The study was conducted among the thirteen communities of nine districts (7 locked and 2 partially locked) under eight administrative divisions. Among the divisions Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Rajshahi were partially locked while Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh were fully locked. The fully locked communities were Shibpur and Baghaba, Haimchar, Char Alexandar, Kawarchar and Laharhat, Palashbari, Osmaninagar and Balaganj, Phulpur respectively from Narsingdi, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Barisal, Gaibandha, Sylhet and Mymensing district. Partially locked communities included Chila and Joymonigul from Bagerhat and Bera from Pabna district. Data collection: The study was conducted based on primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were collected by employing a number of qualitative tools such as individual interviews, key informant interviews with knowledgeable persons, oral history and telephonic interviews. Telephonic interviews assisted a lot to conduct the study during such a lockdown period and helped to collect the data quickly with low cost. Secondary data: Secondary data of COVID-19 was collected from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). The data included overview of Bangladesh, lockdown status, number of confirmed, recovered and death cases. Production, food demand, supply and relevant fisheries and aquaculture-related data was collected from Department Secondary data: Secondary data of COVID-19 was collected from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). The data included an overview of Bangladesh, lockdown status, number of confirmed, recovered and death cases. Production, food demand, supply and relevant fisheries and aquaculture-related data was collected from the Department of Fisheries (DoF). Data was also collected from scientific articles, technical reports and newspaper reports for further materials. of Fisheries (DoF). Data was also collected from scientific articles, technical reports and newspaper reports for further materials. Data analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed in MS Excel (Version 2016) using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed through text analysis. After transcription of qualitative data, contents were analyzed and themes were developed. Data were presented in the form of graphs and tables to provide graphical representations of the data. After analyzing all the data, the results were verified by nine household and nine telephonic interviews.

Source of Information: journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/marpol

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104422

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The pandemic known as COVID-19 has had catastrophic impacts on human action and activities, with aquatic food sector and small-scale fisheries being no exception. Food demand and thus food security are severely compromised due to movement restrictions, reduced purchasing power, and further impact on the most vulnerable small-scale fishers and associated people. So, any action taken by the Government should be based on protecting the health and food security of the people particularly to the marginalized class, although it could be detrimental to economic growth in the short run. Furthermore, policies should ensure that both economic and physical elements of total food security, including agriculture, fisheries, dairy and poultry are taken into account. Sufficient baseline information to initiate proper developmental steps and to improve the livelihood of fishermen should be collected. A resource-based data bank should be preserved for further research and development. Scope of alternative income-generating opportunities, rationing system, training and motivational program, implementation of appropriate policies, legal instruments and establishment of co-management strategies for wetland management could improve the situation of the aquatic food production and fishing communities of the relevant wetland. Without concerted and sustained effort, there is no doubt potential risk associated with food security will arise during and after COVID-19 pandemic. This paper will contribute to current COVID-19 research by interlinking the global health pandemic and aquatic food security and will provide insight into policies taken by the policymakers to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on aquatic food sector and small-scale fisheries in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal