Title: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Livelihoods of Fishermen: A Case Study in Coastal

Communities

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected various aspects of the global economy,
including the fishing industry. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on
the livelihoods of fishermen in coastal communities. A mixed-methods approach was
used, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys of fishermen in a
selected coastal community. The results showed that COVID-19 has significantly
affected the livelihoods of fishermen in terms of reduced catch, market access, and
income. The study also found that social distancing measures and restrictions on
movement have limited the ability of fishermen to access fishing grounds and markets,
resulting in increased costs and decreased profits. The study concludes that there is a
need for targeted interventions to support the livelihoods of fishermen in the context of
the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction:

The fishing industry is an essential source of livelihoods for many coastal communities
around the world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the
industry, affecting the livelihoods of fishermen and their families. The pandemic has
resulted in restrictions on movement, social distancing measures, and a decline in
global demand for fish and seafood, which has disrupted the supply chain and market
access. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of
fishermen in coastal communities and identify potential interventions to support their
livelihoods.

Methodology:

A mixed-methods approach was used in this study, combining qualitative interviews

and quantitative surveys of fishermen in a selected coastal community. The study was
conducted in May 2021, and the sample size was 100 fishermen who were selected
using a snowball sampling technique. The study used a semi-structured questionnaire to
collect data on the following variables: socio-demographic characteristics, fishing
practices, market access, income, and the impact of COVID-19 on their livelihoods. The
qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and the quantitative data
were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:
The results showed that COVID-19 has significantly impacted the livelihoods of fishermen
in terms of reduced catch, market access, and income. The study found that social
distancing measures and restrictions on movement have limited the ability of fishermen
to access fishing grounds and markets, resulting in increased costs and decreased
profits. The study also found that the pandemic has affected the supply chain and
market demand, leading to a decrease in prices for fish and seafood. The study
revealed that fishermen have had to adopt new strategies, such as selling directly to
consumers, to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on their livelihoods.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the
livelihoods of fishermen in coastal communities. The study recommends targeted
interventions to support the livelihoods of fishermen, such as providing financial
assistance, improving market access, and promoting alternative sources of income. The
study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the impact of the pandemic on
the fishing industry and the importance of developing strategies to mitigate the
negative effects of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of fishermen and their families.