Abstract
Socio-economic data analysis of fishing activities is used to support the conservation and management of the fishing industry, aquatic ecosystems, and livelihoods of engaged crews. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating socio-economic indicators of beach seining in Golestan province, including crew remuneration, costs, livelihood, profitability, investment rate, activity rate and demographics for the exploitation year 2020-2022. The data and information needed for the research were collected through a survey method and questionnaires from ten fishing cooperatives and by visiting the sample cooperatives in the two fishing areas of the east coast (Gomishan fishing ground) and the west coast (Miankala fishing ground)
A total of 416 crews were engaged for the all cooperative in the province, and per each cooperative this figure was calculated as 26±10. The numbers of different individuals engaged on beach sein fishing cooperatives along the coastal province was 587 with a mean of 37±13 per cooperative. The annual working hours of the crew engaged for all cooperatives in the study area and the cooperatives located in the west coast area were 23 and 37% more than the threshold and the national standard, respectively, and 16% less for cooperatives located in east coast. Personnel costs accounted for the largest share (67.3 percent) and the maintenance costs took the second place among the variable costs (17.7 percent). The average remuneration per crew paid by the cooperatives of the entire coast of Golestan province was estimated to be 2526786 ±1155876 tomans, and the value of this index per crew for the cooperatives located in the west coast (2709892±1291226 tomans) was 29% more than that of the cooperatives in the east coast (2099540±786939 tomans). Examining the economic indicators of the fishing cooperatives in Golestan province showed that this part of the fishing activity is currently unprofitable and the continuation of the activity is not economically justified. The share of all cooperatives in the livelihood and income of engaged crew is less than 50%.
With the increase in fish landings through the implementation of the compiled plan for the restoration of bony fish stocks in the Caspian Sea and the decrease in the number of active members of cooperatives, we can expect an increase in the income and remunerations of working people. Also, the renovation of existing fishing tools and machineries will reduce maintenance costs.
Key words: Beach seine fishing, Bony fish, Golestan province, Socio-economic, Crew remuneration, Livelihood