Climate Change Impacts on a Tropical Fishery Ecosystem: Implications and Societal Responses

Abstract

The present study aimed to map out the current threats and anticipated impacts of climate change on the most important hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fishery and the associated fishing communities based on fieldwork in six coastal fishing communities. To collect empirical data, individual interviews, focus group discussions, oral history, and key informant interviews were conducted. To supplement the empirical findings, time-series data of cyclones and sea-borne depressions in the Bay of Bengal were also analyzed. Analysis of secondary data regarding climate change-induced events and regional studies suggested that the biophysical conditions of the Bay of Bengal are likely to be aggravated in the future, potentially causing more frequent extreme events and affecting the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities in Bangladesh. The fisher respondents revealed that the main target hilsa shad fishery is particularly vulnerable to climate change in terms of alterations to migration patterns and breeding and growth performance. The fishers reported constant climate-related risks because they live in seafront locations, exposed to extreme events, and their occupation entails risky sea fishing. Fishers claimed that they often need return to the coast due to unsuitable weather conditions related to cyclones and frequent tropical depressions, which can cause financial losses or even causalities. Such events negatively affect fishers’ livelihoods, and wellbeing. To cope with the impacts of climate change the fishers have adopted various strategies at both sea fishing and household levels. However, these strategies only support the fishers in terms of immediate survival; they are not enough for long-term resilience. To improve the resilience of the hilsa fishers, the study argues for the implementation the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines (SSF Guidelines), which call for longer-term development goals, including in the immediate relief phase, and rehabilitation, reconstruction, and recovery to reduce vulnerabilities to climate and anthropogenic risks.

Climate change perceptions, impacts and adaptation practices of fishers in southeast Bangladesh coast

“…The small-scale coastal fisheries support the livelihoods of half of a million fisherfolk and their household members, who catch almost 82% of the total marine caught in Bangladesh (DoF, 2018). Bangladesh and its fisheries sector are victims of global climate variability and change (BBS, 2020; Islam et al , 2020). Different climatic variables, including tropical cyclone and storm surge, salinity, sea-level rise, water temperature, rainfall and drought, have adverse effects on coastal fishing productivity, affecting the fishing community’s livelihood and overall well-being (Alam et al , 2018; Vivekanandan et al , 2016).…”

Perceived Vulnerability and Climate Change Impacts on Small-Scale Fisheries in Davao Gulf, Philippines

“…MPAs will continue to be useful as they provide a clearly defined geographical space managed by communities or the government dedicated toward long-term conservation of marine and fisheries resources (Cabral et al, 2014). Admittedly, to mitigate climate change impacts with economic and ecological effects there need to be development assistance in protecting fishers' well-being, prioritizing alternative livelihoods, technical skills trainings and increasing value to their fisheries products to enhance their resilience to external shocks (Islam et al, 2020;Suh and Pomeroy, 2020). This would be in addition to the on-going work of conservation of coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves and coastal wetlands which are known to protect coastal communities during extreme events (McClanahan et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2014;Sun and Carson, 2020).…”

Impact of The Climate Change to The Small-Scale Fisheries and Their Adaptation in Kota Belud, Sabah

“…Another study by Islam et al (2020) was embraced to evaluate the impacts of climate alter on the hilsa shad fishery system and the versatile measures taken by fisher communities in Bangladesh's coastal locale. It found that climate alter has colossal unfavorable effects on the country's most impoverished fishing communities by affecting their job resources, particularly by diminishing the hilsa stock upon which their employments are based.…”