Impacts of Extreme Climate Change Event on Small-Scale Fishers and Their Adaptation in Baganga, Davao Oriental

Climate change impacts are unpredictable and can change rapidly or over time; anthropogenic stressors work synergistically to strengthen their impact on vulnerable ecosystems including in the fisheries sector. This study focused on understanding and documenting the historical occurrence of extreme climate change impacts as exemplified by super typhoon Pablo (Bopha), which wreaked havoc in Baganga, Davao Oriental, almost a decade ago. A mixed-methods approach was used, using semi-structured interviews (N = 120) and focus group discussions (FGD) with small-scale fishers in the four fishing villages to assess the impacts of climate change and their adaptation after the events occurred. Our findings indicate that the fishing villages were exposed to the same impacts of climate change or the super typhoon which destroyed their lives and livelihoods. Consequently, this affected their catch per trip and fishing operations. Moreover, due to the impact of the super typhoon, fishers in Baganga developed psychological distress and trauma (emotional 44% and physical 24%) due to the extreme event. To survive, their adaptation strategies relied on government and non-government assistance provisions and projects, e.g., planting mangrove trees, construction of a seawall with wave breakers, cash-for-work activities, and tourism, as an alternative livelihood. Moreover, our study revealed that the communities have limited knowledge about the impacts of climate change, the local government lacks clear management goals for fisheries conservation and there was widespread use of illegal fishing gear. There is a strong need to implement rules, policies, and adaptation measures to build more resilient fishing communities.