Covid-19 Impacts on the Fish Production and Distribution Status at the Nusantara Fishery Port, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of Covid-19 on the operational conditions of production and distribution at the Palabuhanratu Nusantara Fisheries Port (NFP) before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Data was collected from May 2021 to July 2022 through interviewing 7 port officers and 25 fishermen based on certain criteria and direct observations in the field. The results shows that the amount of fish production and fish catch per fishing gear decreased significantly in the peak of the pandemic. During the peak of the pandemic (2020), fish catch per fishing gear decreased from gillnet, tuna Long line, toddler fishing, tramel net, hand fishing and purse sein. The distribution of fresh fish at the peak of the pandemic has increased, while the distribution of pindang fish and salted fish has decreased. This happens because fish production at the peak of the pandemic (2020) has decreased, therefore fish in ports do not experience over stock so for Pindang and salted fish is reduced. The highest income for payang and fishing rods was Rp. 650,000 before the pandemic and after the pandemic: the lowest income was Rp. 350,000 for net fishermen. Based on the results of interviews, most fishermen stated that the average household expenditure before and after the pandemic did not change much.