Evaluation of Small-Scale Fishers’ Perceptions on Climate Change and Their Coping Strategies: Insights from Lake Malawi

Abstract

The effects of climate change have negatively affected Malawi's agricultural production. In this context, fisheries have been providing alternative livelihoods. However, there is a knowledge gap around the responses of small-scale fishers to climate-related changes. Therefore, a study was conducted on the Western shores of Lake Malawi between August 2015 and April 2016. The study evaluated the perceived effects of climate change on small-scale fishers and their coping strategies by employing a wide range of methods for data collection and analysis. The study used explorative surveys, household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews to collect data. The study randomly sampled 112 household heads who owned either fishing gear or a fishing vessel or both. Content analysis for themes was used to analyse the qualitative data. The Mann-Kendal Test was used to analyse trends in meteorological data, and binary logistic regression was used to determine factors that influence coping with low fish catches. Despite the respondents noticing an increased incidence of extreme weather events and low fish catches, their perceptions could not be validated using time series meteorological data. However, such perceptions were influenced by experience from long-time exposure to extreme weather events and to low fish catches. The majority of the fishers had adjusted to these changes by increasing their fishing time, using highly efficient illegal fishing nets, expanding farming land, operating small businesses and undertaking casual labour in agriculture and fishing activities. The fishers' propensity to adjust to these changes increased due to the presence of the following factors: older age of household head, higher education level, being married and having an annual income. In contrast, being a member of fish conservation club decreased the probability of adjusting. This study emphasizes the need to be cautious when defining and framing perceptions of local communities on extreme weather events as data obtained could be misleading. Furthermore, a multi-sectoral approach to balance sustainable livelihoods and management of fisheries is needed. These findings provide theoretical and practical lessons that can inform design, planning and implementation of policies that enhance adaptive capacity in fisheries and promote sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa.

Between the Sun and Fish Are People: A Socio-economic Study of Solar Dryers for Fish Processing in Malawi

“…Traditional authority (TA) Malengachanzi, the area in which the research was framed, has an estimated population of 53,135, with a growth rate of 2.4%. Fisheries is a common source of income for many, however the population also engage in small-scale farming as well as other small businesses (Limuwa et al 2018). The Chewa are the predominant group in Nkhotakota, who follow a matrilineal lineage system.…”

Willingness to Pay for Improved Water Quality and Influencing factors: An Insight from Chia Lagoon, Malawi

“…The perception study was initially developed during Ogallala Aquifer region of Great Western United States [19]. In Malawi, Limuwa et al [8] adopted the same approach to evaluate small scale fishers' perception on climate change and their coping strategies. In this study, perception of the communities was linked to the principles of economics.…”

“…It is very apparent that little is presently known about local communities WTP to improve water quality at Chia lagoon. About 2.5% of population in the Western Part of Lake Malawi are found in Chia lagoon catchment (8). This study was designed to understand the attitude of local communities towards their WTP for improving water quality.…”

“…The villages for the interviews were sampled purposively based on their proximity to the lagoon. The critical aspect covered in the questionnaire included household composition, demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the household, perception of household towards climate change and ecosystem changes and coping mechanisms [8]. The data collection techniques followed high ethical values [24].…”

“…Again, the impact of climate change such as upward trend of extreme weather related events has further stressed the resources at the lagoon [6] as evidenced by Warnatzsch and Rea, [7] and Malawi government report which further projected that by 2025, water resources in Malawi will be scarce [4]. Limuwa et al [8] also noted that climate change poses a serious threat to Malawi economy as it significantly affect water resources especially in Western Part of Lake Malawi. The government of Malawi through various legal frameworks has taken various measures to safeguard and protect water resources in the country and this include, the enactment of the Environmental Management Act of 2017 [9]; the Forestry Policy of 1997 [10]; the Land Policy of 2002 [11] and the Water and Sanitation Policy of 2006 [12] and the National Water Policy (2005) [13].…”