Impacts of climate variability and change on fisheries of the padma river and adaptation strategies

Abstract

According to Global Climate Risk Index 2015, Bangladesh is one of the top ten vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change. The Padma is the second longest and one of the trans-boundary rivers of Bangladesh that contributes significantly to the fisheries and supports the fishers livelihoods. It is assumed that the Padma river is already affected by the climate variability and change, but there is a lack of evidence on it and the adaptation strategies are unknown. This study assesses the livelihood characteristics, fishing activities, and impacts and adaptation strategies of climate variability and change on the livelihoods of the migratory and non-migratory fishers of the Padma river in Manikganj district, Bangladesh. Data were collected using household interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews during July to October, 2015. Climatic shocks and stresses and the impacts faced by the fishers were ranked based on household interviews and verified using FGDs. The results showed a better livelihood conditions of the migratory fishers than those of the non-migratory fishers. Although the non-migratory fishers useda diverse types of fishing boats and gear including nets, traps, hook.The rank order of climatic shocks and stresses (higher to lower impacts) were, storm>low rainfall>high temperature>low temperature>fog. On the other hand, the rank order of climatic impacts (higher to lower impacts) were, reduced availability of fish catch>destruction of fishing equipment’s>riverbank erosion>physical injury>drought. Storm damaged fishing equipment and caused increased frequency of physical injury to the fishers which affected their fishing activities and, coping and adaptation strategies. Low rainfall in the rainy season and higher temperature in summer reduced the fish catch in the river. Riverbank erosion displaced the fishers and forced to change their livelihood strategies. The duration and intensity of low temperature and dense fog in winter had increased over the years hindering the fishing activities. This study also found that maladaptation due to unplanned construction of embankment for controlling riverbank erosionhas blockedthe migration of fish between river and floodplains resulting reduced fish catch. The common coping strategies of fishers were selling physical productive assets or livestock, reducing current consumption, employing their school going children in fishery related activities, temporary migration, taking loans, making sheds on their boats and in case of storms, taking shelter in the nearby canal (ghop). Adaptation strategies include embankment construction, permanent migration, livelihoodsdiversification, increasing fishing duration, use ofmore efficient fishing gears, using mechanized boat for fishing and tree plantation. This study found thatclimate variability and change hassignificant impact on the fisheries of the Padma river and the dependent livelihoods. The fishers’ households are responding to these impacts. However, these are not sufficient to fully address the impacts.Thus, proper measures need to be taken at different levels to respond to these impacts.