Impact of Covid-19 lockdown on trap fishery in Olaikuda Region of Palk Bay, South India

Abstract

Abstract The present work analysed the fish catches and associated prices of trap fisheries during the regular and COVID-19 lockdown along the Olaikuda fishing village, Palk Bay region. The main target fishery in this region is coral associated fishes. A total of 713 kg of fishes harvested from the trap for eight months of study. The higher and lower average catch was recorded in May and April during 2020 lockdown respectively. But in the regular fishing months, the higher and lower average catch was recorded in July and March 2020 respectively. The total value of harvested fishes during the regular fishing months was ₹ 66,137 and in lockdown months ₹ 54,583 with the cumulative value of ₹ 1,20,720 as against the operation cost of ₹70,750 excluding the cost of craft. Thus, COVID-19 lockdown influenced the price of export quality fishes belonging to the family Scaridae due to which the fishes were sold at lower prices leading to low income of trap fishers. Data on this type of work is not available to compare the present situation. Therefore, long term study will be conducted in different trap fishing areas to compare the catch data along with market value for better understanding.