FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
Every wild seafood supply chain starts with a producer (the fisher) and ends with an end buyer selling to a consumer. Retail outlets (from locally owned fish markets to national supermarket chains), restaurants, and foodservice establishments such as hotels, hospitals, and schools are examples of end buyers. It is not uncommon for artisanal fishers to completely bypass the supply chain and sell their catch directly to consumers on the beach or door-to-door within the community. However, seafood supply chain sold into more formal markets can include any number or combination of mid-chain players (e.g., aggregators, primary processors, traders, wholesalers, dealers, secondary processors, distributors, transporters).
WHAT IS SEA FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN?
The seafood supply chain will differ depending on the product (frozen vs fresh, farmed vs wild caught), as well as who or where it is traded to. Before reaching the end consumer, seafood supply chains typically have up to 10 to 15 intermediaries between the fishers and farmers.
WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN?
Blockchain is a distributed, immutable ledger that makes it easier to record transactions and track assets in a business network. A tangible asset (a house, car, cash, or land) can be intangible (intellectual property, patents, copyrights, branding). A blockchain network can track and trade almost anything of value, lowering risk and costs for everyone involved.
ELEMENTS OF SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
INTEGRATION
Integrating each division with one another brings expertise together and helps to build teams. When teams are integrated into the sequence of processes, managers' duties become more efficient and successful because it is easier to monitor overall operations and identify areas for further improvement.
OPERATIONS
Supply chain operations are the backbone of the supply chain process, ensuring consistent work for your employees. Managers keep an eye on day-to-day operations to ensure that the various supply chain phases remain on track.
PURCHASING
It is critical to understand exactly what goods to purchase for your company, whether they are materials, supplies, tools, or equipment. Hiring qualified purchasing personnel and ensuring your employees understand inventory management are essential components of a strong seafood supply chain.
DISTRIBUTION
Customers receive your product at the end of the supply chain, either from a store shelf or through direct shipping. Supply chain distribution must be well planned in order for products to reach their final destination.
PROCESS OF SEA FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- ENVIRONMENT
- ECOSYSTEM
- FISH SPECIES
- FISHING FLEET
- PROCESSOR
- DISTRIBUTOR
- SELLER
- CONSUMER
SECTORS OF SEA FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
The Commercial Sector
The commercial sector includes businesses and individuals involved with wild-catch or aquaculture resources, as well as the various transformations of those resources into products for sale. It is also known as the "seafood industry," though it also produces non-food items such as pearls.
The Traditional Sector
The traditional sector is made up of businesses and individuals involved with fisheries resources from which aboriginal people derive products in accordance with their traditions.
The Recreational Sector
The recreational sector is made up of businesses and individuals who are involved with fisheries resources for the purpose of recreation, sport, or sustenance, and from which products that are not for sale are derived.
PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES IN THE SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
Insufficient Cold Storage And Transportation
Inadequate retail cold storage and transportation facilities exacerbate the problem of seafood waste. A fish wholesaler can afford a cold storage wagon to supply fish to retail markets.
Unorganized Channels
The unsanitary environment, combined with the fact that fish is rarely kept in ice, results in rapid deterioration of the fish's quality.
Spoilage During Monsoon Season
Several studies have found high levels of wastage in the Indian fishery due to spoilage, particularly during the monsoon season, when up to 30% of the catch can be lost.
Lack of Awareness And Appreciation
Because local processing houses were unable to comply with the regulations, marine/fishery products were rejected in the international market.
WAYS TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS IN SEAFOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
One of the possible solution provided by Tracefood is the concept of a Community Supported Fishery (CSF). Wholesale Distributors and Retailers must let the supply chain do its job while intervening in the downstream segment of the supply chain. Because it is scalable, this could be a good model for small-scale fishermen. A CSF could approach a fisherman and buy at that point. However, if they require a larger quantity, they can go to the fish house and purchase a larger quantity. If they require processing, they could go to a processor and purchase what is available.