The onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 led to a dramatic rise in unemployment and fears about food-security throughout the Caribbean region. Subsistence fisheries were one of the few activities permitted during emergency lockdown in The Bahamas, leading many to turn to the sea for food. Detailed monitoring of a small-scale subsistence fishery for queen conch was undertaken during the implementation of coronavirus emergency control measures over a period of twelve weeks. Weekly landings data showed a surge in fishing during the first three weeks where landings were 3.4 times higher than subsequent weeks. Overall 90% of the catch was below the minimum legal-size threshold and individual yield declined by 22% during the lockdown period. This study highlights the role of small-scale fisheries as a ‘natural insurance’ against socio-economic shocks and a source of resilience for small island communities at times of crisis. It also underscores the risks to food security and long-term sustainability of fishery stocks posed by overexploitation of natural resources.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 大流行对巴哈马的皇后海螺（Aliger gigas）渔业的影响

2020 年初冠状病毒 (COVID-19) 大流行导致整个加勒比地区的失业率急剧上升，并对粮食安全感到担忧。自给渔业是巴哈马紧急封锁期间允许的少数活动之一，导致许多人转向大海寻找食物。在为期 12 周的冠状病毒紧急控制措施的实施过程中，对小规模的自给型皇后海螺进行了详细监测。每周上岸量数据显示，前三周捕鱼量激增，上岸量是随后几周的 3.4 倍。在锁定期间，总体上 90% 的渔获量低于最低合法规模阈值，个体产量下降了 22%。这项研究强调了小规模渔业作为抵御社会经济冲击的“自然保险”和危机时期小岛屿社区恢复力来源的作用。它还强调了过度开发自然资源对粮食安全和渔业种群长期可持续性构成的风险。