Impacts of COVID-19 on the value chain of a small-scale fishery system in a tropical metropolitan city

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the value chain structure and dynamics of a small-scale fishery system within a TURF type marine reserve in the southwestern Atlantic were evaluated between July 2019 and December 2020. A systematic on site monitoring program of fisheries production and sales, and semi-structured questionnaires applied to representatives of the different links in the value chain were used to assess changes comparing pre-pandemic (Normality) and pandemic (Quarantine and Flexibility) periods. Our results revealed that most of the fishermen continued fishing throughout the pandemic period, without compromising local production. General restrictions were imposed by the pandemic to the population and commercial establishments, especially restaurants and snack bars, which remained closed during quarantine period. This scenario increased the demand for fresh seafood by endpoint consumers, and consequently raised the average prices of fish/shellfish commodities. In addition, the adoption of new commercial strategies including direct sales and seafood delivery to endpoint consumers helped to maintain commercial fluxes and cope with the limitations imposed by the pandemic. The auction system arena in which fisheries catches are sold, was an important internal process for maintaining the value chain operating. All of these characteristics reinforce the resilience of the system in the face of extreme conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.