Small Scale Fishers in a Changing Climate: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Deltaic Island of West Bengal, India

The sustainability and future of aquaculture stand at an extremely vulnerable juncture owing to climate change. Out of a number of stakeholders associated with aquaculture, only small-scale fishers have been taken into account. This chapter captures the effects of climate change through the lenses of people involved in small-scale fishing, who are engaged in the practices of meen (fishling) cultivation and production of dried fishes. In this cross-sectional study, 400 small-scale fishers (SSFs) staying in and around Bakkhali, South Twenty-four Parganas, West Bengal, India, have been considered for the study. The data pertaining to the fishing activities were collected via an in-depth primary survey and have been subjected to various statistical analyses such as Correlation analysis, PCA, and ANOVA using the SPSS software. It is observed that the temperature of the water bodies, degradation of the water quality, frequent occurrence of cyclones, coastal flooding, changes in rainfall patterns, changes in the salinity, and turbidity of seawater have affected the meen cultivators and those producing dried fishes. In addition, the respondents reported their self-designed adaptation strategies like changing fishing sites, fishing hours, calendar events, and marketing strategies to adjust to the changing climate increase the acknowledge the challenges faced by the stakeholders. The findings in addition to enriching the regional knowledge base, could significantly aid planners and policymakers in devising effective management strategies. These strategies would be instrumental in providing targeted assistance to the small-scale fishing community, thereby reducing their vulnerability.