Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: Lockdown and diseases’ effects on different parts of Iran shrimp industry, Bushehr Province

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on different parts of the shrimp industry in Bushehr Province in Iran. This disease has threatened both human health and many industries around the world. Data were collected via an online web-based questionnaire about each of the effective indicators in shrimp hatcheries, farms, and processing centers. The data were categorized into five categories: without effect, low effect, medium effect, effective, and high effect. The results showed that the greatest effect of COVID-19 on shrimp hatchery centers was related to a section of services such as supplying air tickets for foreign experts and delays in importing larval feed and equipment into the country, which led to a decrease in shrimp larval production in the early period. In farms, despite the lack of post-larvae at the beginning of the rearing period, the most significant effect of COVID-19 on this section was the delay in investment return due to the lack of crop sales. The most important factors influencing the processing sector were an increase in the costs and prevention of packaging contamination with Coronavirus, non-sale of products, and a decrease in shrimp prices. As a result of an increase in infection among shrimp industry activists, contamination of shrimp packages with Coronavirus, a loss of customers on the global market, and a decrease in foreign exchange income, the shrimp industry may face bankruptcy if COVID-19 is not controlled in the country. To prevent bankruptcy in the industry, the governmental authorities must take protective actions after the public has been vaccinated.