Species Diversity across Fish Markets in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the species and market diversity across the major fish markets of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana in India. Methods/Statistical analysis: The primary statistical tool of percentage analysis, diversity index and constraint analysis has been carried out to assess various parameters of the study. One of the major analysis employed diversity index method to assess the diversification of fish markets which indicates the number of species available/ traded in a particular market as well as species diversity which indicates the spatial distribution of a particular species across markets and Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient method is carried out to deduce the constraints in fish trade by the traders across the major fish markets of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. Findings/Application: The study points out that the total species traded across different fish markets of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, inland species (Catla, Rohu, Tilapia, Pangasius) are the most available and traded fishes compared to other fishes traded/available across the markets. Markets had been the major drivers for the fisheries production system channeling the fish landed/produced in realizing the value. Thus, the price and demand of a fish is influenced by market structure, seasonal abundance, and origin of species, size and quality. Fish demand was sensitive to the price changes, the inland fishes were the highly preferred fish species among consumers in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana and its demand seemed to be low-responsive to price changes, keeping the income constant. The study also analysed the major constraints perceived by the different traders operating in Telengana and Andhra Pradesh using the Spearman's rank correlation method. The constraint analysis indicates that low quantum of fish and lower product diversity contributed as the major constraint to the traders both on Telengana (0.89) and Andhra Pradesh (0.84) fish markets. This was primarily characterised due to low amount of fish arrivals and disbursal within the market. The traders had constraints related to inadequate infrastructure and amenities leading to non-imparting of value additions, limited facilities of ice, cold, storage, parking, inappropriate market locations, hygiene measures were improper and poor handling measures were found to be the some of the major constraints affecting the particular markets. Moreover, development of a Fish Market Price Information system could act as a support system for ensuring the fish https://ijed.in/

Spatial fish consumption paradigms across Kerala

“…A composite preference assessment index (PAI) approach was also used in this study to evaluate driving forces that are influencing consumer preference which lead to an increase in the demand for various types of fishes. ( Shyam et al ,2019) The composite index approach calculates preference indices using aggregate data for a set of indicators. An indicator represents a characteristic or a parameter of a system and it is a pragmatic, observable measure of a concept.…”