Presentation Title
State-Level Variation in COVID-19 Policy Impacts on the US Fisheries Sector
Abstract
Shocks are unpredictable events that can have both positive and negative impacts on a system. The COVID-19 pandemic was a shock event that impacted fisheries throughout the world. Previous research has documented the decreased demand for American seafood, domestically and abroad, due to the loss of exports and restaurant demand early on in the pandemic. Due to the United States Federal government leaving public health policy decisions to state officials, there is a high degree of heterogeneity in the timing and stringency of distancing and lockdown policies across the US. The impacts of these policies on the fisheries sector have not yet been investigated on this state-level scale. In an analysis of state fisheries landings and price data for 2020, we found that, in some states, there were decreases in both landings and revenues throughout the pandemic and in others landings remained relatively constant while only revenue decreased. Additionally, landings and revenue approached historical averages as the stringency of restrictions decreased, around June and July 2020. This evidence suggests differing needs for the fisheries sectors in terms of federal aid. Further research will be required on this scale to determine long term impacts on population sizes and the local industries.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Easton White
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biological Science
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Social Sciences
State-Level Variation in COVID-19 Policy Impacts on the US Fisheries Sector
Shocks are unpredictable events that can have both positive and negative impacts on a system. The COVID-19 pandemic was a shock event that impacted fisheries throughout the world. Previous research has documented the decreased demand for American seafood, domestically and abroad, due to the loss of exports and restaurant demand early on in the pandemic. Due to the United States Federal government leaving public health policy decisions to state officials, there is a high degree of heterogeneity in the timing and stringency of distancing and lockdown policies across the US. The impacts of these policies on the fisheries sector have not yet been investigated on this state-level scale. In an analysis of state fisheries landings and price data for 2020, we found that, in some states, there were decreases in both landings and revenues throughout the pandemic and in others landings remained relatively constant while only revenue decreased. Additionally, landings and revenue approached historical averages as the stringency of restrictions decreased, around June and July 2020. This evidence suggests differing needs for the fisheries sectors in terms of federal aid. Further research will be required on this scale to determine long term impacts on population sizes and the local industries.