Camera ready copy - achini.docx

The study aimed to investigate the fish and seafood value chain of Sri Lanka. Research attention has paid to explore the fair and sustainable status of the nature based value chin. The assessment carried out an in-depth study on VC aspects such as VC architecture, VC mapping of actors/activities/services, identify unfair distribution of profit and existing practices of abuse of human rights, including the crosscutting issues of gender, climate change and impact of COVID-19 pandemic, at different points in the value chain, investigate the sector's value chain with the goal of critically analysing fisher folk’s and workers’ issues (wage, working conditions, social protection, collectivisation), which will aid civil societies in organising targeted interventions and provide an alternative policy prescription, primarily targeted at the government, to make the existing value chain fair and sustainable. Fishing and allied businesses evolved as way of living of the people who reside closer to the marine and inland waters. Very short, fragile supply chains cater to the food security needs of primary producers and their communities. Later, supply chains were stretched to provide fish and seafood to more distinct communities. Modernization converts the simple supply chains into complex, lengthier value chains. Architecture of fish and seafood value chain showed two main types of value chains. Regional value chains are short; contain few nodes, or limited number of players, catering to local communities. Few or absence of middlemen or middle players allow fair income distribution along the value chain where ends, primary producers and consumers receive fair payments and rates. Smooth information flow through countable number players allow for transparent decision making, especially price decision. In contrast, lengthy value chains are complex in nature, more close to network architecture, contains many players, upstream weakly connect with downstream, complex nature disturb to smooth flow of information, unfair distribution of income along the value chain is common where both ends, primary producers and consumers receive unfair rates. Regional value chains operate with informal nature but lengthier chains has more formal contracts. Most of the upstream members, primary producers are self employed and managing informal contracts. In contrast, downstream actors are engaging with formal employee contracts. Male dominant fish and seafood value chain obtained the service of female actors for downstream nodes. Female involvement in both primary and secondary processing is significant. Value chain upgrading through inventions and innovations are essential to establish fair and sustainable fish and seafood value chain.