Impact of COVID-19 on small-scale coastal fisheries of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract Numerous reports suggest that the volume and value of fish catches in fisheries worldwide have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. To quantify the effects of the pandemic on small scale fisheries in Indonesia we collected catch data across Southeast Sulawesi using a digital data collection system. We show that the number of active fishers and traders declined by more than 60% after the pandemic was announced. While average weight of catch per trip increased across fishers, average price of fish declined. Interviews with 185 fishers and traders revealed that low demand and a decline in price were the primary causes of disruption in their lives. Approximately 75% of fishers are coping by continuing to fish, highlighting that there were few alternative livelihoods available at the time of the interviews. Our results provide key insights into the vulnerability of small-scale fishing communities to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.