Socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 on Peruvian amazon aquaculture: a survey to fish farmers of the San Martín region

Abstract

"The pandemic produced by COVID-19, is affecting all sectors worldwide. Aquaculture and fishing are not the exception. The measures taken by governments in order to dissipate contagions prevent supporting the economy. Faced with this situation, governments and state entities are taking measures to cushion and strengthen companies. However, to make correct decisions regarding aid, it is necessary to diagnose the state of the productive sectors in order to carry out interventions and manage solutions to priority problems. The objective of the present study was to establish information on the aquaculture production units in the San Martín region, which enables the aquaculture sector to be managed efficiently, promoting efforts and public interventions in the region. The results show that more than 90% of the aquaculture producers in the San Martín region are affected, mainly by logistical difficulties in the delivery of supplies, which have stopped the operation of approximately 18% of fish production. During the COVID-19 dormancy period, aquaculturists implemented some biosecurity measures, mainly handwashing, but it is necessary to establish protocols for good aquaculture production practices to strengthen health aspects that prevent the spread of the disease."