The aquaculture supply chain in the time of covid-19 pandemic: Vulnerability, resilience, solutions and priorities at the global scale

Abstract

The COVID-19 global pandemic has had severe, unpredictable and synchronous impacts on all levels of perishable food supply chains (PFSC), across multiple sectors and spatial scales. Aquaculture plays a vital and rapidly expanding role in food security, in some cases overtaking wild caught fisheries in the production of high-quality animal protein in this PFSC. We performed a rapid global assessment to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related emerging control measures on the aquaculture supply chain. Socio-economic effects of the pandemic were analysed by surveying the perceptions of stakeholders, who were asked to describe potential supply-side disruption, vulnerabilities and resilience patterns along the production pipeline with four main supply chain components: a) hatchery, b) production/processing, c) distribution/logistics and d) market. We also assessed different farming strategies, comparing land- vs. sea-based systems; extensive vs. intensive methods; and with and without integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, IMTA. In addition to evaluating levels and sources of economic distress, interviewees were asked to identify mitigation solutions adopted at local / internal ( i.e., farm-site) scales, and to express their preference on national / external scale mitigation measures among a set of a priori options. Survey responses identified the potential causes of disruption, ripple effects, sources of food insecurity, and socio-economic conflicts. They also pointed to various levels of mitigation strategies. The collated evidence represents a first baseline useful to address future disaster-driven responses, to reinforce the resilience of the sector and to facilitate the design reconstruction plans and mitigation measures, such as financial aid strategies.

Effects of caffeic acid on the growth performance, growth genes, digestive enzyme activity, and serum immune parameters of beluga (Huso huso)

“…For a long time, aquaculture has depended on chemotherapies to overcome infection and enhance the performances and well‐being of aquatic animals (Mangano et al, 2022). Nevertheless, they are chemosynthetic products that cause suppression of natural immunity, bacterial resistance, and environmental hazards (Zhou et al, 2021).…”

“…The aquaculture industry is widely improving and attracting attention as a suitable food source for humanity (Irwin et al, 2021). Recently, aquaculture has faced different critical challenges (e.g., global warming, limited resources, high prices, and increasing demand; Froehlich et al, 2022; Mangano et al, 2022). The basic requirements, including proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins, are optimized in most aquatic animals (Kari et al, 2022).…”

How has the COVID-19 pandemic response impacted small-scale fish farmers in Bhutan?

“…While COVID-19 does not affect fish, and consuming fish does not cause or spread the virus ( FAO, 2021b ), some policy responses can severely disrupt aquaculture supply chains and so inflict economic distress on the actors involved ( Mangano et al, 2022 ). Disruptions and adverse economic outcomes can occur in several ways; for example, mobility and logistical restrictions can severely impair access to essential inputs such as fish seed and labour ( Belton et al, 2021 ; FAO, 2020a ; Kumaran et al, 2021 ; Senten et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The increased production costs due to higher input prices and the fall in farm incomes associated with fewer sales or lower farmgate prices may also mean that workers are laid off ( Belton et al, 2021 ; FAO, 2021a ; Hasan et al, 2021 ; Lebel et al, 2021 ). These adverse socioeconomic outcomes eventually undermine food security and threaten the overall wellbeing of vulnerable aquaculture supply chain actors such as small-scale producers ( Belton et al, 2021 ; FAO, 2021a ; Islam et al, 2021 ; Kumaran et al, 2021 ; Lebel et al, 2021 ; Mangano et al, 2022 ).…”

Data analytics and decision-making systems: Implications of the global outbreaks

“…The capacity of pandemic preparedness to confront these threats needed strengthening [ 8 ]. The call for papers for this Special Issue stated a need for research in the effectiveness of preparedness systems, for epidemic monitoring, and for means to stabilize economic activity and reduce systematic risks.…”