Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Did COVID-19 impact the livelihoods of marine fishers? Evidence from Bhaucha Dhakka fish market (New Ferry Wharf), Mumbai

Volume 66 Issue 2

P. Seenivasan, P. S. Ananthan, A. L. Kamble, S. Nabi and T. Mohammad

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2024.66.2.2440-05

Abstract

The fishing sector in India employs more than 28 million people and contributes 1.1% of the country’s GDP while producing 8.92% of the world's fish (2022-2023). COVID-19-induced lockdown and restrictions deeply affected and changed the supply-demand dynamics in the global marine fishing sector, which is crucially dependent on fish markets. This study focuses on the Bhaucha Dhakka (BD) fish market in Mumbai, one of the largest fish landing centres, where 1125 trawlers landed 67,927 tonnes of fish in 2018. The BD fish market infrastructure quality was assessed using the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Fish Market Infrastructure Quality Index, which was found to be only 28% which categorises the market as poor. Specifically, the hygiene and cleaning aspects in BD need drastic improvement, which is classified as very poor (18%). Based on field observations and key informant interviews, five distinct marketing channels were identified in the market. The price spreads for popular fish species such as anchovies, seer fish, pomfret, Bombay duck, and shrimps, ranged from 16% to 50%, indicating moderate to poor marketing efficiency. The COVID-19-related restrictions, which interrupted the supply chain and widened price spreads, resulted in a significant decline of 31% (INR 15,289/USD~181) in the net monthly income of fishers. The lessons learned during and after the pandemic with reference to domestic and export fish markets need to be synthesised to draw insights for transforming the value chain in the fisheries sector. Modernising the markets with better infrastructure and support services under one roof is required to improve the structure, conduct, and performance. 

Keywords

Bhaucha Dhakka fish market, COVID-19, fishers livelihoods, price spread, lockdown, impact

Date : 25-11-2024