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

Abstract

Purpose The small-scale artisanal fishers in coastal Bangladesh are comparatively more vulnerable to climate risks than any other communities in Bangladesh. Based on practicality, this paper aims to explain the local level climate change perception, its impact and adaptation strategies of the fisher in southeast coastal villages in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the above objective, this study used structural, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion in two coastal communities, namely, at Salimpur in the Sitakund coast and Sarikait Sandwip Island, Bangladesh. It reviews and applies secondary data sources to compare and contrast the findings presented in this study. Findings Results show that the fishers perceived an increase in temperature, frequency of tropical cyclones and an increase in sea level. They also perceived a decrease in monsoon rainfall. Such changes impact the decreasing amount of fish in the Bay of Bengal and the fishers’ livelihood options. Analysing seasonal calendar of fishing, findings suggest that fishers’ well-being is highly associated with the amount of fish yield, rather than climatic stress, certain non-climatic factors (such as the governmental rules, less profit, bank erosion and commercial fishing) also affected their livelihood. The major adaptation strategies undertaken include, but are not limited to, installation of tube well or rainwater harvesting plant for safe drinking water, raising plinth of the house to cope with inundation and use of solar panel/biogas for electricity. Originality/value Despite experiencing social stress and extreme climatic events and disasters, the majority of the fishing community expressed that they would not change their profession in future. The research suggests implementing risk reduction strategies in the coastal region of Bangladesh that supports the small-scale fishers to sustain their livelihood despite climate change consequences.

Household-Level Economic Penalties Resulted From Climate Change-Induced Events Among The Coastal Fishers Of Bangladesh

“…CC-induced extreme events such as sea level rise, temperature uctuations, increased rainfall, cyclones, storms, coastal-bank erosion, inundation, and heavy ash oods adversely affected the coastal sher's and non-sher's livelihoods, especially in terms of economic losses 15,[21][22][23][24][25] . Higher salinity intrusion levels have negative effects on coastal agriculture, cultivation, and aquaculture, as well as domestic and industrial water use, and overall production and development [26][27][28][29] .…”

“…The variability of climatic factors and its changes, impacts, and vulnerabilities, are causing widespread distress on coastal dwellers 15,16,33,46,[48][49] . Recent studies show that the CCI events have much in uence on the livelihood assets of small scale shers (SSF) and coastal shers 15,[17][18][19][40][41] .…”

“…The variability of climatic factors and its changes, impacts, and vulnerabilities, are causing widespread distress on coastal dwellers 15,16,33,46,[48][49] . Recent studies show that the CCI events have much in uence on the livelihood assets of small scale shers (SSF) and coastal shers 15,[17][18][19][40][41] . The shers have suffered of extreme poverty and poverty in uenced by different seasonal vulnerability and climatic induced shocks and hazards 15,17,[19][20][40][41] .…”

“…Recent studies show that the CCI events have much in uence on the livelihood assets of small scale shers (SSF) and coastal shers 15,[17][18][19][40][41] . The shers have suffered of extreme poverty and poverty in uenced by different seasonal vulnerability and climatic induced shocks and hazards 15,17,[19][20][40][41] . The above miseries and cruelty lead them to pushing and pulling into poverty 15,21 .…”

“…The shers have suffered of extreme poverty and poverty in uenced by different seasonal vulnerability and climatic induced shocks and hazards 15,17,[19][20][40][41] . The above miseries and cruelty lead them to pushing and pulling into poverty 15,21 .…”