Research Article: Socio-economic analysis of kilka fisheries in the southern waters of the Caspian Sea (Iranian waters)

Socio-economic data of kilka fisheries in the south part of the Caspian Sea were collected using questionnaire form, which consisted of different variables related to the fishing activity to evaluate its socio-economic performance. The cost , livelihoods, employment and profitability, level of investments, debts, subsidies, activity levels, demographic and ownership structures data were employed and assessed.  The result of the analysis showed that ۸۰% of the vessel owners were active in fishing operations in Mazandaran Province. This figure was ۹۰% for the segment ۱۲-۱۸ LOA and ۴۰% for the segment ۱۸-۲۴ LOA of Gilan Province. The survey also showed lower revenue and higher costs for the vessels that owner present onboard of the vessel during fishing operation.      According to the analysis, ۳۷۷.۴ crew were engaged onboard of all the vessel segments in both Provinces. Mean number of crew engaged on the board of each fishing vessel was ۵.۱ individuals. The number of different individuals engaged on kilka fisheries in both Provinces were calculated ۴۸۰. The average working hours per crew for the kilka fleets in the southern Caspian Sea were calculated ۱۲۱۲.۱ hours per year. The activity level (days at sea) for Mazandaran fleet was estimated ۵۴۸۵.۸ days, which were higher than Gilan fleets. Daily duration of fishing trip for whole kilka fisheries was calculated ۱۶.۵ hours per day. Total yearly duration of fishing trip for whole fleets under study (۲۰۱۷) was ۱۴۴۱۰۸ hours. Personel costs were contributed ۶۴%  of total variable costs of  kilka fleets, the lowest portion of the operational costs were belonged to energy cost . Whole kilka fleet in the Caspian Sea consumed total of ۲.۶ Million liters of fuel and oil in ۲۰۱۷. Each US in ۲۰۱۷= ۳۸۸۵ Tomans (each Toman=۱۰ Rials, Iranian currency).

Keywords:

Socio-economic , Cost , Kilka fishery , Remuneration , Caspian Sea