Transparency and authenticity of high value sea food: case study in lobster supply chain of south coast of Sri-Lanka

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to find out the status of the transparency and the authenticity of the lobster value chain and to find out the impact of logistics supplies on value chain transparency and to propose a smart value chain to bridge the gaps in transparency and authenticity. The study was conducted in the first quarter of 2022 on the southern coast of Sri Lanka covering the lobster fisheries in Matara and Galle districts. The snowball sampling technique was instrumental in gathering the sample. Primary data for the study was collected through focus group discussions, and non-participatory observation. Data had been collected from 26 supply chain actors (20 fishermen, 05 collectors, and 01 agent of exporter). Results revealed that the exporter studied in the supply chain was a price setter while the fishermen at the initial node of the supply chain were the price takers. The fishermen lacked information connectivity (i.e., market price for local market and export) among the lobster catching sites of the island making fishermen poor bargainers. The supply chain lacks a two-way information flow from one node to the other. Fragile supply chain and information asymmetry badly affect ethical income distribution along the chain. Poor postharvest handling and safety and quality management reduce the returns to upstream actors. Lack of transparency on fishing grounds, fishermen, and logistic suppliers limits the entry point of high-end markets on one hand. On the other hand, this has positively affected stock depletion. Lack of supply chain transparency and authenticity encourages Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) lobster fishing.