Assessment of fish harvest and post-harvest losses in Ludhiana district of Punjab- A case study

Fisheries and aquaculture is a sunrise sector supporting the nutritional needs, livelihood issues and employment generation among fishers and other stakeholders. Reducing the post-harvest losses becomes vital after considering the causes and stages at which it appears. A pilot survey was carried out in the Ludhiana fish market with respect to fish post-harvest losses. It was observed that the fish sellers were not using the fish waste (non-edible part) after selling the edible portion of fish. Throughout these process, a significant quantity of waste (45-65% depending upon different type of fish, level of processing or desirable part needed for consumption) is generated. It was advocated to use of these generated wastes as an organic fertilizer, fish silage and production of other by-products. Strengthening the cold chain was one of the key prospects for post-harvest loss. During COVID-19 pandemic, fishermen were not going for fishing moreover, culture based stocking is almost nil in many parts due to lack of supply of required quality and quantity of fish seed to the fish farmer which certainly will lead to fish production quite below the target. In view of this, minimization of post-harvest losses can play an important role to meet the supply of fishery products to consumers and enhance fish nutritional food security.