Anthropogenic and climatic impacts on the Kapotakkho river fisheries Bangladesh and adaptation strategies

Abstract

Bangladesh has been identified as one of the most vulnerable countries due to climate change. On the other hand, anthropogenic impact on land and nature fuses impacts on the biophysical environment, biodiversity and distinctive resources. The river fisheries are also vulnerable due to climate and anthropogenic changes. Available researches on river fisheries have focused mainly on fish production, fish biodiversity, fishing gear and fishermen's livelihoods. This study assessed the socio-economic status of fishers and present non-fishers (who were fishers before) and the impacts and adaptation strategies to anthropogenic and climatic changes in the Kapotakkho river fisheries of Chowgachaupazila of Jessore district, Bangladesh. Data were collected through household interviews, semi-structure questionnaire, focus group discussions (FGD), oral history interviews and interviews with key informants between June and July 2016 from two fishing communities (Hazrakhana and Kalitola) of the Kapotakkho river. Secondary data (Climatic parameter; temperature, rainfall) were collected from Bangladesh metrological department (BMD), Agargaon, Dhaka-1207. Socio-economic status of respondents was studied in term of age structure, religion, level of education, housing condition, homestead and cultivable savings. The socio-economic status of present day non-fishers was found better than that of fishers while occasional fishers and part-time fishers were found better than those of full-time fishers. On contrast, the socio-economic status of respondents was found better in 2016 than in 1998. Both fishing communities are being exposed to the impacts of anthropogenic variables (dam construction, riverbank land use and urban runoff) and climatic variables (high temperature and low precipitation). However, volumes of water and fish habitat are being reduced. Quality of the waters was found deteriorated in 2016 than in 1998. Fish abundance was found reduced in 2016 than in 1998. This study also identified that some fishes are locally extinct and/or going to be extincted from the surveyed river. It was also found that mean catch is reduced by 9.90-folds in 2016 than in 1998. Income from fisheries related activities were found reduced by reduction in fish catch which in turn affecting the livelihoods of the fishers thus affecting their socio-economic status. To cope with the changing climate and man-made variability both fishing communities have taken multiple adaptation strategies. Some 88.3% respondents adapted adaptation strategies while rest did not. While 86.3% adopted diversification of livelihoods others increased fishing duration and use extra efficient fishing gears. Diversification of livelihoods included agriculture, fish trading; fish farming, small business and vehicle driving as prominent in both study sites. This has clearly demonstrated that agriculture is the most common adaptation strategy for fishers and non-fishers. The socio-economic statusof the river Kapotakkho fishers and fisheries has been affected by a number of anthropogenic and climatic hazards, and are being traditionally adapted to those impacts which are not sufficient for sustainable livelihoods and fisheries. Over the next few decades this situation may worsen as predicted by the latest scientific research and an improved level of responsiveness would be required.