Research Article: Socio-economic analysis: A snapshot of fishers’ livelihoods for improving small-pelagic fisheries management in the northern Persian Gulf

Iran’s marine catches are mostly captured by the small-scale fisheries (SSF) section, which is inherently difficult to manage. Socio-economic data is a key component of a community-based management approach to achieving sustainable SSF. A socio-economic survey was conducted to evaluate the profitability of small-pelagic purse seine fisheries in the northern Persian Gulf from ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱. The study area covered three main fishing grounds of Sardine and Anchovy in the northern Persian Gulf.  Data were collected by random sampling technique, using ۱۰۴ standard questionnaire forms. The results showed that ۱۰۴,۰۰۰ tons of fish were landed by ۳۴۸ purse seiners in ۲۰۲۰, which supports ~۹۶% of the fisherman’s household income. In total, ۳۸۱۱ fishers were engaged on the pair-boat purse seiners with an average (±SD) age of ۳۲.۱±۱۱.۶ years. In terms of literacy, ~۵۲% of fishers had secondary and high school education. On average, the number of engaged crew per vessel was ۹.۷ people, and each crew worked ۸۴۳ hours per year which is ۴۲% of national FTE. Total variable costs for purse seine fleet were ۶.۵۷ million Euro, of which personnel costs ۴۷.۵%, energy costs ۳۲.۵%, operational costs ۷.۸%, maintenance costs ۷%, commercial costs ۵%, and fixed costs ۰.۲%. The value of total investment (vessels and gears) was estimated at ۹.۷۷ million Euros, which is close to the total revenue of ۱۰.۴۶ million Euros in ۲۰۲۰. The purse seine fleet consumed ۱۷.۲ million liters fuel in ۲۰۲۰, their energy efficiency was calculated at ۰.۱۶۵ for ۱ ton landed fish. This study showed that the purse seine fishery in the northern Persian Gulf, which utilized ۰.۹۳ of its capacity, is a livelihood-oriented activity. Therefore, it is recommended that the fisheries management approach is aimed at ensuring sustainable exploitation and employment stability.