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

Edris Alam,Bishawjit Mallick

doi:10.1108/ijccsm-02-2021-0019

Abstract

PurposeThe 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/approachTo 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.FindingsResults 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/valueDespite 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.

Highlights

A plethora of research worldwide provides evidence of climate change symptoms and impacts (Gillett et al, 2021; Pokhrel et al, 2021)
Data obtained through individual interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) confirmed that the fishers’ community perceived the change in temperature, rainfall, seasonality, tropical cyclone, inundation pattern and the type and sea-level changes (Table 4)
This research identified fisher communities’ perception and symptoms of climate change and characterised consequences and impacts of extreme events on livelihoods and their adaptation strategies and plans to live with extreme climate events

Summary

Introduction

A plethora of research worldwide provides evidence of climate change symptoms and impacts (Gillett et al, 2021; Pokhrel et al, 2021). Climate change effects are disproportionate to the agricultural and fishing communities’ burden, whose life and livelihood are closely affected by climate change and associated extreme events It is highly uncertain how the resource-poor community will adapt to climate change (Wood et al, 2014), which demands them to develop effective local adaptation strategies (Niles et al, 2015). The adaptation strategies are unlikely to be effective without understanding the fishing communities’ perceptions of climate change, which mainly depends on their direct experience and cognition of climate change Considering these interrelationships, this research focusses on exploring fishers’ climate change perceptions, impact and adaptation undertaking examples from southeastern Bangladesh coastal and island communities – a world top location of climate risks

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion