Impact of Corona Virus Disease 2019 on Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Sector with Special Reference to Trincomalee District in Sri Lanka
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Date
2021
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Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease spreaded rapidly across the borders
creating pathetic health, economic and social impacts on each and every country in the world. In
fact, aquaculture and inland fisheries is one of the industries which has been affected drastically.
COVID-19 first time recorded in 2020 in Sri Lanka. This study aims to analyze the impacts of
COVID-19 pandemic situation on aquaculture and inland fisheries sector in Trincomalee district
focusing on the impacts on the inland capture fisheries and aquaculture community along with
production dynamic during the period of 2019 and 2020. Mixed method and Purposive and
stratified random sampling techniques have been employed as major methods of sampling during
the data collection where a total of 155 individuals who are engaging in aquaculture and inland
capture fisheries activities operated under the monitoring of National Aquaculture Development
Authority in seven Divisional Secretariat divisions; Kuchchaveli, Morawewa, Trincomalee Town
and Gravets, Thambalagamuwa, Kinniya, Muthur, Kanthale located in Trincomalee district. Pre-
tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data from respondents while
secondary data were collected from Trincomalee National Aquaculture Development Authority
and mainly descriptive analysis was applied by using Microsoft excel to compare the situation
before and during COVID-19 in order to accomplish the objectives of the study. The results
indicated that Trincomalee district inland fisheries total production was 9% lower in 2020 with
compare to the 2019. Apart from that, the study also confirmed the livelihood, education, health &
food security, well-being, and happiness of aquaculture and inland fisheries community have been
severely affected by the COVID-19, especially during lockdown period. Hence, this study
emphasizes the necessity of providing livelihood assistance to such affected household in order to
enhance their living standard and need to provide Advice with business continuity planning and
Advice on how to prevent infections while maintaining business operations.
Keywords: COVID-19; Aquaculture; Inland fisheries; Livelihood; Socio-economic impacts
Description
Keywords
Aquaculture and Fisheries, Aquaculture, Fisheries Industry, Covid-19