IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE FISHING ACTIVITIES OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERMEN IN SOUTH KALIMANTAN PROVINCE OF INDONESIA

Abstract

This study aims to identify fishing activities and analyze differences in fishing activities patterns in before and during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic because of restrictions implemented. The research was conducted in Tanah Laut and Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan Province. Determination of the location of the study with consideration of the area is marine water fishing activities center with a diversity of fishing gear. The number of samples was set at 311 fishermen. This research was carried out from August to October 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic in the South Kalimantan was still in the status of Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). Study results explain that fulfillment marine materials for fishing during the Covid-19 pandemic was more difficult than before the pandemic, seasonal fishing fishermen had a 0.093 times more difficult opportunity than one-day fishing fishermen. At the stage of fishing operations, there are no different activities between before and when the Covid-19 pandemic both in one day fishing and seasonal fishing. Fish marketing activities are becoming more difficult, where one-day fishermen are 5.2 times more likely to do marketing compared to seasonal fishing, due to limited opportunities for transactions, limited access of collectors to direct fishermen and reduced operational time to fish markets.