Climate Change Adaptation and Extreme Weather in the Small-Scale Fisheries of Dominica

Abstract

Globally, changes in the intensity, severity and frequency of storms threaten potentially catastrophic impacts on fisheries. These threats present a significant challenge to Small Island Developing States because of the important contribution of fisheries to multiple aspects of coastal communities’ wellbeing, including food security, coastal economies, and social and cultural identities. Supporting the adaptive response of fisheries to storm events is therefore a priority, yet efforts to enhance adaptive capacity are limited by knowledge gaps relating to fishing communities’ needs and behavior. Tropical Storm Erika (2015) and Hurricane Maria (2017) were the most destructive disasters in Dominica since Hurricane David in 1979. We present findings of a scoping visit to Dominica which examined the impacts of these extreme weather events in coastal communities. Using a framework outlining five key domains of adaptive capacity we identify insights related to the diverse experiences of fishing communities, and the individual, household and institutional capacities that have implications for resilience to future shocks. Understanding the experience of Dominica can inform the development of targeted adaptive capacity-building strategies nationally and in other contexts.