Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, global fisheries and aquaculture industries could face further disruption in 2021. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), lockdowns will affect supply and demand across the sector.
"The pandemic has caused widespread upheaval in fisheries and aquaculture," said FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo.
“Production and supply chains have been interrupted and consumer spending restricted by various lockdowns,” she explained. "Containment measures have provoked far-reaching changes, many of which are likely to persist in the long term.”
FAO revealed that fish supply, consumption and trade revenues for 2020 have declined due to containment restrictions. The global aquaculture production fell by some 1.3%, the sector's first fall in several years.
While the food itself is not responsible for transmitting COVID-19 to people, the UN food agency said every stage of the fisheries and aquaculture supply chain is susceptible to disrupting or stopping by containment restrictions.
Aggregate prices for 2020, as measured by FAO’s Fish Price Index are down year-on-year for most traded species. Restaurant and hotel closures in many countries have also led to a fall in demand for fresh fish products.
The impact has been significant in developing countries, especially those with large informal sectors. Small-scale and artisanal workers and communities depend on fisheries for their food security and livelihoods. These sectors have borne the brunt of restrictions, Semedo said. (image from Unsplash)
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