The fishing and seafood sector in the time of COVID-19: Considerations for local and global opportunities and responses

Curr Opin Environ Sci Health. 2021 Oct:23:100286. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100286. Epub 2021 Jun 24.

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fishing sector over the world, including several economic, social, environmental, and health challenges that the fisheries have had to face during the early days of the health crisis, and some of them still continue today. These problems, in short, are translated into a decrease in seafood demand, loss of jobs, changes in food consumption habits, economic losses, or increased vulnerability of the industry. As a consequence, governments have been forced to implement regulations and measures in support of this sector. However, a positive aspect of the pandemic also stands out, the opportunity to transform the food system to be greener, more inclusive, and resilient against future shocks.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fisheries; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; Seafood.

Publication types

  • Review