Adaptation strategies of small scale fishers to climate variability and change: a case study of lake Victoria in Mwanza city

Abstract

The study on adaptation strategies of the small scale fishers to climate change was carried out in Mwanza City. Specifically the study aimed at (i) assessing fishers' awareness about climate change indicators affecting fisheries, (ii) analyzing micro-level climate change impacts facing fishers on their fishing activities and, (iii) analyzing fishers' adaptation to climate variability in the lake. Six villages commonly known as Beach Management Units (BMUs) were selected purposively and a total of 120 fishers were randomly selected and interviewed. Data were collected through administration of a structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs), key informant interviews and direct observation. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Computer Programne was used to analyse quantitative data where as content analysis was used for qualitative data. The results revealed that the ability of the fishers to adapt to the changing weather was affected by a series of factors; among others include poor fishing gears and equipments, lack of capital, low government support in the fishery sector, poor road infrastructures and lack of credit facilities to fishers. The study also found out that fishers have been changing the process and practices to moderate the effects of climate change to the fish catch; among others are the strategies of increasing capacity and efforts of fishing. The study revealed that over years the fish catch has always been declining while the climate change incidences such as excessive droughts, low rainfall, and high temperatures have been increasing. It was therefore reasonable to conclude that the present climate variability and change has a serious negative impact to fishers. It is very important for the government and other stakeholders to solve the problems associated with climate variability and change to fishers so that their ability to adapt to the adverse weather is improved.