Guide to improving live fish transportation with special attention to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh and other tropical developing countries

Abstract

The main objective of this guide is to improve human safety during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to harvesting and transporting live fish. Other objectives include (i) providing safer methods for handling and transportation, (ii) improving animal welfare, (iii) reducing road safety hazards, and (iv) detailing methods to reduce the cost of live fish transportation. However, some farmers and traders use inappropriate transportation practices, which have led to health hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, poor transportation techniques have resulted in high mortalities during shipping. Among those that do survive and make it to the market, many arrive in poor quality because of injuries sustained on the trip. On top of all this, these hazardous techniques also have dangerous impacts on road safety.