Livelihood impacts and adaptation in fishing practices as a response to recent climatic changes in the upwelling region of the East African Coastal Current

A socio-economic assessment was carried out at Amu and Shela in Lamu County and Ngomeni in Kilifi County on the coast of Kenya. The aim was to establish fisher perspectives on the livelihood impacts of changes in upwelling associated with the East African Coastal Current, and adaptations in fishing practices to determine the vulnerability, resilience and adaptation options for fisheries dependent communities in this upwelling region. Primary data and information were collected through direct observation, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and oral histories. Descriptive and non-parametric analysis was conducted for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. The study covered 92 respondents out of which 90 were male. About 82.5 percent of the respondents had attained different levels of primary school education and below, and were therefore highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Furthermore, 80.4 percent of the respondents were aged between 20 years and 49 years with a mean age of 40 years, thus falling into the economically active age category. In terms of livelihoods, fishing and fishing-related activities formed the primary livelihoods at the three study sites with fishing being the main occupation for 93 percent of the respondents. Fishing effort was higher during the north-east monsoon season. Fifty two percent of the respondents targeted small pelagic species. The main changes observed included increased fishing effort and a decline in the quantity of fish caught per fisher, and changes in the composition of fish species. Changes in the composition of fish species have further been compounded by a decline in rainfall over time, sea level rise, irregular wind patterns and increased temperatures. The decline in fish catch further led to a general decline in income and welfare. The climatic changes increased vulnerability of the fishing communities

Feasibility of extensive, small-scale mud crab farming (Scylla serrata) in East Africa

Small-scale farming of mud crabs (Scylla serrata) has been suggested as an alternative income for resource poor coastal communities in East Africa. However, it and it is unclear if the present culture methods are profitable and ecologically sustainable at larger scales. Here we assess the two dominant culture methods (crab fattening in cages and grow-out farming in ponds) using economic and ecological analyses in Kenya and Tanzania.Cost-revenue analyses of crab-fattening cultures showed negative results at all scales in both countries. High labor costs and poor survival and growth make crab fattening an unprofitable and unsustainable livelihood in its present form. Grow-out cultures of small juvenile crabs showed a positive return at prices above $US 3.4 kg-1, which is achievable in Kenya and Mozambique, but difficult in Tanzania today. Analyses showed that it would be more profitable to farm smaller commercial crabs, and to increasing the size of the pond culture. However, the availability of seed-crabs and local feed sources limit the size of sustainably crab farms in a coastal community to approximately 500 commercial crabs per year. Before grow-out farming can become a profitable alternative income in East Africa, survival rates need to be improved, and market conditions and profits to local crab farmers enhanced

Rising Climate Risk and Loss and Damage to Coastal Subsistence-oriented Livelihoods

Subsistence-oriented communities in tropical coastal areas face the greatest threat from climate change, with consequences manifesting through diminishing returns from small-scale fishing and farming ventures. The complementary climate, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation policies target reducing climate risks, but effective policy outcomes depend on a thorough understanding of system-wide climate risk, community adaptation potential and gaps, and possible economic losses. Using four countries in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region as a case, we present a framework for quantifying climate risk to subsistence-oriented coastal communities. On average, economic losses of ecosystem services are predicted to increase with increasing climate risk, with annual losses of up to 23% and 32% of total economic value (~ US$ 516,828,468/year) under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios by 2050, respectively. A comprehensive assessment of climate risks, ecosystem service value and cost of climate inaction can inform policy actions aimed at adapting, mitigating, and compensating for the loss and damage caused by climate change