Systematic Communal Impacts of COVID-19 on Fisheries and Fish Marketing in Nigeria

Abstract

In 2020, Coronavirus swiftly spread to the world, relentlessly crashing lives and economies. Economic activities were severely affected by the pandemic especially the lockdown policy where transportation during the outbreak was restricted to reduce the spread of the virus in Nigeria. The effects of the pandemic on food and other agricultural sectors were evident as it interferes with supply chain, impaired production and distribution. Impacts of the pandemic on fisheries and fish marketing of Ogun State, Nigeria were assessed. One thousand and two (1,002) fish farmers and nine hundred and sixty-two (962) fish marketers were randomly examined and statistically analysed. Results showed that majority of the respondents believe in the existence of COVID-19 in Nigeria(82.7%) and worrisome of the pandemic as fish farmers can contact it. No significant relationship (p > 0.05) between COVID-19 pandemic and parameters of positive and negative situations of fish farmers/marketers. There were no significant relationship recorded between the pandemic and high profits gained by the fish farmers/marketers as well as increased fish marketing; between COVID-19 pandemic and decrease in fish and fingerlings production and supply; between COVID-19 pandemic and increased cost of fish feed as well as availability of feed ingredients. Significant relationship (p < 0.05) exists between COVID-19 pandemic and the fish demand. Conclusively, COVID-19 lockdown has empirical negative impacts on fisheries and fish marketing such as increased in cost of fish feeds, non-availability of feed ingredients, and decrease in table fish, fingerlings production and supply. Farmers’ enlightenment on the virus existence (being a zoonotic disease) and safety of fisheries workers,along the supply chain should be a prioritized.