Addressing Disaster Risks and Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh: Using the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines

Abstract

This chapter examined the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) which were endorsed by FAO member states in 2014, in the Bangladesh small-scale fisheries context with particular focus on disaster risks and climate change related guidelines (Para. 9). Given that small-scale coastal fisheries in Bangladesh are subjected to multifaceted vulnerabilities due to extreme events and disasters, they provide an important case to study the potential implementation process of disaster risks and climate change related rules of the SSF Guidelines. The Bangladesh government is yet to take any decision regarding implementation of the SSF Guidelines. Reference to small-scale fisheries is largely absent in current ideologies, perceptions, and policies targeting disaster risks and climate change discourse in Bangladesh, although small-scale fishers are among the most climate-vulnerable population. Responses from relevant government agencies, fishers’ organizations, and NGOs are also inadequate in addressing the concerns of small-scale fisheries. This study identified priorities and potential entry points for implementation of the Guidelines in Bangladesh. It calls for the state to recognize that climate change induced disasters have intense but different impacts on small-scale fishing people than on other professional groups. Further, it is argued that effective and full consultation with fishing communities is needed, and that the government should incorporate fishers’ adaptation strategies against disaster risk and climate change impacts in existing climate change adaptation policy.