Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Baor (Oxbow lake) fisheries: Decreased economic livelihoods and food security

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the global economy, with Bangladesh as a developing country exhibiting greater vulnerability. This pandemic has negatively affected the livelihoods and food security of the nation. Baor (oxbow lake) fisheries communities also were significantly affected during the pandemic, in terms of incomes, food security, health conditions, etc. Fishers have had to stop harvesting, or lower the quantity, of fishes, the sale of which was the main income source of the baor fishers’ community because of reduced consumer demands during the lockdown conditions. The supply chains of fishes and fish culture inputs were also disrupted because of a lack of needed transportation, thereby hindering the availability of this convenient protein source from the fish. All these factors negatively impacted the incomes of the people dependent on this important fishery. If appropriate measures are applied to overcome these various difficulties, the baor fisheries may again contribute significantly to the livelihoods and food security of the population in the southwestern part of Bangladesh.