Climate change awareness, preparedness, adaptation and mitigation strategies: Fisherfolks perception in Coastal Kerala

Abstract

Coastal environments cover 8 per cent of the world’s surface, house 70 per cent of the human population,
\nprovide 90 per cent of the global f ish catch, and deliver 40 per cent of the estimated economic value derived from
\necosystem goods and services. In addition to increasing population pressure and demand for marine protein,
\nclimate change is modifying coastal environments and increasing the vulnerability of marine-dependent
\ncommunities around the world. Climate change is modifying the distribution, productivity of marine and
\nfreshwater species thereby impacts the sustainability of f isheries and aquaculture, eventually on the livelihoods
\nof the communities that depend on f isheries. The effect of sea level rise means that coastal f ishing communities
\nare vulnerable and are in the front line of the deleterious effects of climate change. Changing seawater temperature
\nand current flows will likely bring increases, decreases and shifts in the distribution of marine f ish stocks, with
\nsome areas benef iting while others lose. These changes may have impacts on the nature and value of commercial
\nf isheries. Many artisanal f ishers are extremely poor with social and political marginalization with limited
\naccess to healthcare, education and other public services. With little capacity to adapt, the small-scale and
\nmigrant f ishers are highly vulnerable to losses of natural capital consequent to climate impacts. The impacts of
\nclimate change going to affect economy as well the social standards of f isher folk with implications for food
\nsecurity and sustainablelivelihoods . Thus the climate change effects impact the environment, f ishery, social,
\neconomic and development drivers..Consequently, it is important to understand factors that contribute to
\nvulnerability of coastal biological and human systems in order to develop sustainable adaptation pathways; and
\ndevelop effective mechanisms and expertise to translate f indings into management guidelines and policy advice
\naddressing natural, social and economic implications. Globally each government are looking for pragmatic
\ntime-bound strategies and plans for mitigation and adaptation