Food logistics: a study on lobster fisheries, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Food logistics is playing a vital role because of the importance of on-time delivery with minimum or no food waste since the majority of food products have a very short shelf-life. Lobster fishery is one of the most economically important marine coastal fishing activities, since it is a good source of foreign exchange. This study carried to studying of the current logistics practices in lobster fisheries, to identify the loopholes in the current logistics system and to recommend strategies to improve the system. Interviewer administrated questionnaires, in-depth interviews were facilitated to collect required data from 30 fishermen, 05 collectors and 03 exporters. The results revealed that, the supply chain of lobsters is consists with fishermen, collector, distributor and exporter or local hotels and the inbound freight management is in very poor level with zero traceability from upstream to downstream. while outbound logistics are more concerning on keeping product quality since, the end product is exporting as live animals. Introducing proper cages to handle the animals, training on importance of proper inbound logistics management and further, precise planning, execution, and efficient monitoring to effectively manage the movement of lobster from sea to plate with minimum wastage.