A recent economic study by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that the outbreak of the Corona virus (Covid 19) affected the production of fisheries and seafood in the world, warning against the decline in the supply of small legal fisheries and the impact on fish products through a decrease in demand for Seafood in restaurants and hotels, but indicated that the outbreak may positively affect the sustainability of global fisheries, due to lower fishing activity.
The study quoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), that fisheries and seafood products alone provide about 20% of the total animal protein consumed by about 3.2 billion people of the world's population.
She added that between 35% and 38% of global fisheries and aquaculture are exchanged through global supply chains, and it is likely that the supply of small legal fisheries will decrease due to the outbreak of the epidemic and traditional containment measures, while the outcome of illegal fishing is expected to increase due to low control measures During the epidemic crisis.
The study stated that the outbreak of «Covid-19» already affects fish products and seafood value chains through decreased demand (restaurants and hotels), closing retail trade, disrupting trade routes, changing consumer demands, as well as a possible increase in health measures on fish and food products Navy. The cancellation of flights in trade also affects some fresh products that are usually transported by air. According to the estimates of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the exports of Maldivian tuna to Europe stopped, while shipments of Indian shrimp to China decreased by 10% to 15%, and the UK exports to Europe were also affected.
The «Dubai Chamber» study pointed out that fisheries, seafood production, and marine tourism are important economic activities in the UAE, especially in Dubai. She said that what happens in these economic activities globally due to the new Corona epidemic, is likely to affect these economic activities locally. According to the study, the demand for frozen fish and canned and canned seafood products has increased in demand via online retailing. The shift in demand from fresh seafood products to frozen food preparations, and packaged and canned products has also created jobs. The study indicated that this shift has increased the demand for complementary inputs, such as aluminum and vegetable oils.