Vulnerability of fisheriesto climate change in Bangladesh: A composite index approach

Abstract

Climatic hazards result unprecedented impacts on natural and human systems especially in low-lying developing countries like Bangladesh. Bangladesh has 64 districts with various levels of fisheries resources but are exposed to multiple climatic hazards that result in vulnerability. However, to date no research has been conducted to measure the district level vulnerability of fisheries to climate variability and change. This study has assessed the levels of vulnerability of fisheries in 64 districts of Bangladesh byselecting indicators of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to climate change impact on culture, capture and overall fisheries using a composite vulnerability index approach.In case of culture fisheriesthe very highly vulnerable districts (higher to lower order) are Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Satkhira, Kurigram, Dinajpur, Sunamganj, Gaibandha, Lakshmipur, Rangpur and Shariatpur.For the same fisheries the low vulnerable districts are Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chittagong and Comilla. While, for capture fisheries, the very highly vulnerable districts (higher to lower order) are Bhola, Khulna, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Satkhira, Shariatpur, Kurigram, Patuakhali and Chapai Nawabganj.For the same fisheries the low vulnerable districts are Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla and Gazipur. Combining the culture and capture fisheries, i.e., for overall fisheries the very highly vulnerable districts (higher to lower order) Shariatpur, Lakshmipur, Kurigram, Bhola, Rangamati, Lalmonirhat, Panchagarh, Sunamganj, Nilphamari, Patuakhali, Gaibandha, Thakurgaon, Chapai Nawabganj, Noakhali, Rajbari and Chandpur. This vulnerability has emerged due to very high/high exposure, moderate sensitivity and low/moderate adaptive capacity.While, for overall fisheries the low vulnerable districts are Dhaka, Comilla, Mymensingh, Chittagong and Jessore. It is interesting to note that the vulnerability of fisheries to climate change varies spatially in Bangladesh: North-Bengal, coastal districts and districts adjacent to the river (especially for capture fisheries) are highly vulnerable, while, most divisional districts are low vulnerable because of their low sensitivity and high/very high capacity to adapt.The findings of this study will allow the policymakers and practitioners to easily identify the most vulnerable districts so as toundertake actionsto decrease the vulnerability and/orensure sustainable adaptation to climate change.