Socio-economic analysis of Kilka Fisheries in Southern waters of the Caspian Sea (Iranian waters))

Socio-economic data of Kilka fisheries in the south part of the Caspian Sea were collected using questionnaire form which consists of different variables related to the fishing activity to evaluate its socio-economic performance. The data collected were employed and assessed, social and economic indicators, cost structure, livelihoods, employment and profitability, level of investments, debts, subsidies, activity levels, demographics and ownership structures.  The result of the analysis shows that in Mazandaran province 80% of the vessels owners were active in vessels fishing operation. This figure was 90% for the segment 12-18 LOA and 40% for the segment 18-24 LOA of Gilan province. The survey also showed lower revenue and higher costs for the vessels that owner present on the board of vessel during fishing operation. According to the analysis a total of 377.4 crew were engaged on the board of all the vessel segments in both provinces. Mean number of crew engaged on the board of each fishing vessel was 5.1. The numbers of different individuals engaged on Kilka fisheries in both provinces were calculated to be 480.  The average working hours per crew for the Kilka fleets in the southern Caspian Sea calculated to be 1212.1 hours per year. This index for different vessel segments, 12-18 LOA Mazandaran, 12-18 Gilan and 18-24 LOA, were 1230.8, 1182.7 and 1221.0 per individual respectively. Comparing this index for the same vessel segments in Mazandaran and Gilan, showed 48 hours higher for Mazandarn fleet segment. The activity level (days at sea) for Mazandaran fleet was estimated to be 5485.8 days, which higher than Gilan fleets.  In general, 63% of the effort (days at sea) was belonged to Mazandaran fleet. Daily duration of fishing trip for whole Kilka fisheries was calculated as 16.5 hours per day. Total yearly duration of fishing trip for whole fleets for the year under study (2017) was 144108 hours, from which 90351 hours were belonged to Mazandaran fleet (12-18 LOA) with higher fishing trip (63%). According to results more than 50% of the operational costs of Kilka fisheries were belonged to crew share (salary) and the lowest portion of the operational costs were belonged to energy costs. The results show that total of 2.6 Million liters of fuel and oil were consumed by whole Kilka fleet in the Caspian Sea in 2017, which 75% of this amount was belong to Mazandaran fleet segments. Each $US in 2017= 3885 Tomans (Iranian Currency).