Salim942019IJECC48985
Salim942019IJECC48985
Salim942019IJECC48985
This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author SSS designed the study,
developed the protocol, performed the analysis and wrote the final draft of the manuscript. Authors LJ
and HEJ managed the analyses of the study. Authors AMS, NRA and RXS managed the literature
searches. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/IJECC/2019/v9i430108
Editor(s):
(1) Dr. Zhenghong Chen, Associate Professor, China Meteorological, Administration Training Centre, China Meteorological
Administration, NO.46, Zhongguancun South Street, Beijing, China.
Reviewers:
(1) Atilla Akbaba, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Turkey.
(2) Moses Mwajar Ngeiywa, University of Eldoret, Kenya.
Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle3.com/review-history/48985
ABSTRACT
Fisheries and allied sectors provide means of livelihood to millions of people around the world. In
India more than 14.5 million individuals depend on fisheries for their livelihood, with Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu and Kerala being the main three marine fish producing states of the country. The social and
economic contribution of fisheries as a sector cannot be ignored or go unnoticed. Similarly the
impact of climate change on fisheries and its resultant impact on the livelihood of fisheries
dependent communities cannot be ignored. To address these pertinent issues, we first need to
understand the impact of climate change on fisheries and the need of alternative livelihood options
from the perspective of the direct stakeholders i.e. fishermen. This study is an endeavour to look at
the need of Alternative livelihood options (ALOs) because of climate change among the coastal
communities in Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha villages of Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulum
respectively. Among the 222 marine fishing villages of Kerala, Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha
are the major fishing villages from the South West hotspot locales of India. The examination
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investigated different socioeconomic aspects, for example, fishing activity, basic household data,
economic as well as historic and cultural dependence on fishing, employment and occupational
structure, income distribution and assets, physical capital, financial capital, social capital, and
exposure and awareness of the fishermen families to climate change by interviewing 1259
fishermen from Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha. The study conducted in the most climate change
vulnerable marine hotspots of Kerala (Elamkunnapuzha and Poonthura) explains the problems and
prospects of the inhabitants in the sector and the importance of Alternative Livelihood Options
(ALOs) in climate change adaptation.
Keywords: Climate change; vulnerability; fishermen; Alternative Livelihood Options (ALOs); adaptive
capacity.
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fishermen who lack the knowledge of latest also important to recognize the importance of the
fishery technologies and proper attitude towards changes in these parameters as drivers of
fishery development [3]. change in marine organisms including fish [7].
Initiating a commitment on long- term
Furthermore Shyam et al. [4] reported low level environmental and ecological monitoring
of awareness on climate change among fisher programmes is important as such data cannot be
folk of Kerala owing to the fact that climate collected retrospectively. Projections on climate
change issues are entangled with other change impact on fish populations need to be
developmental issues; thereby community could developed as the first step for future analytical
not decipher climate change issues in particular. and empirical models and for planning better
According to the reports of 5]; the impacts of management adaptations [8,9]. Effort is also
climate change is expected to be observed in the required in- respect of raising awareness of the
southern part of India. The impacts of climate impact, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation
change are expected to be different within and related to climate change among the decision
between regions and nations, and thus it is makers, managers, fishermen and other
important to investigate where climate change stakeholders in the fishing sector [10].
impacts on fisheries have greatest social and
economic significance [5]. Climate change and its impact was a debated
topic for a long time, but now we know that it is a
According to the study conducted by Shyam et reality. It has changed in past, is changing in
al. [4], Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulum present and will change in future. So it is high
districts are the highest vulnerable villages in time that we focus on the adaptation and
Kerala based on the vulnerability index table mitigation plans at national and regional levels.
formulated by using the Patnaik and Narayin The term mitigation refers to efforts to cut or
method. With respect to the Vulnerability index prevent the emission of greenhouse gases -
table, the highest vulnerable villages of limiting the magnitude of future warming. It may
Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam District i.e. also encompass attempts to remove greenhouse
Elamkunnapuzha and Poonthura Villages were gases from the atmosphere. Mitigation may
selected as the units of study. 4]. The require us to use new technologies, clean energy
vulnerability of Poonthura (2.85) was found to be sources, change people's behaviour, or make
higher than Elankunnapuzha (2.80). The results older technology more energy efficient. Mitigation
revealed that majority of the fisher households in differs from climate change adaptation, which
both the villages were highly vulnerable to refers to the actions taken to manage the
climate change which is a major cause of unavoidable impacts of climate change.
concern.
The study undertaken will help in understanding
Under the above pretext, a study directed in the the level of awareness about climate change
selected coastal regions of Poonthura and among the fishermen community, problems
Elamkunnapuzha fishing villages to get an faced by coastal communities due to climate
understanding about the level of awareness of change and the methods followed by them to
fishers about climate change and the importance overcome it, ALOs available etc. Besides this, it
of alternative livelihood options is relevant. It will also help us in finding out the preferred
draws consideration as it is directed at two of the climate change adaptation and mitigation plans
marine hotspots in the nation which encounters among the fishermen community and thus help in
high vulnerability to climate related shocks and preparing a robust strategy to overcome the
stress along with a higher vulnerability index as problems due to climate change. Understanding
the communities are located near the coastline. the impacts of climate change on fisheries is
Hence, a study regarding the socioeconomic crucial as fisheries is important for food security,
profile of such fishing villages is worth enough to livelihood, and generation of employment and
be used as a basis to develop proper adaptation foreign exchange for national government.
mitigation strategies for the fisher folks to climate
change through alternative livelihood options. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Location
As the ability to sustain fisheries will rest on a
mechanistic understanding of interactions The study was conducted in the coastal villages
between global change events and localized of Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha situated
disturbances, it is important to recognize the in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam
regional responses to climate change [6]. It is respectively.
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Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, has 11.52 sq km. It has a distinct ecosystem that
the maximum number of fishing villages (42nos) includes capture and culture fisheries, a variety
in Kerala constituting around 19 per cent of the of agricultural crops, and animal husbandry.
state total [1]. Coastal village of Poonthura is Elamkunnapuzha village is one of the other
inhabited by around four per cent of the total major south west hotspot regions of India lying
fishermen families and six per cent of the total between10°1′0″N 76°13′0″E. Fig. 1 clearly marks
fisher folk population of Thiruvananthapuram the study area.
(CMFRI Marine Fisheries Census, 2010). It is
one of the major fishing villages from the south 2.2 Data Collection
west hotspot regions of India lying between
10°00' N and 76°15 E [1]. A pre-tested interview schedule was used for the
collection of information directly from the
Ernakulam with a coastal length of 46 Km has a fishermen families through personal discussions
fishermen population of 1543 per Km length is and interviews regarding the various aspects of
one of the major fishing district of Kerala. the socio-economic conditions. A total sample of
Elamkunnapuzha village in Ernakulam district 1259 respondents was selected from the coastal
has a total population of 51,197 and an area of villages of Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha
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through random sampling method. Information Majority (59%) of the respondents from
gathering was done to collect data on socio Elamkunnapuzha belonged to Hindu community,
economic and demographic view of the whereas in Poonthura 90 per cent of them
respondents, level of awareness of fisher folk belonged to the Christian community. Majority
about climate change, fisher’s perception on the (34%) of the respondents from Elamkunnapuzha
impacts of climate change on resources and belonged to the age category 46-55 and 33 per
resource users, sources of information on climate cent from Poonthura belonged to the category
change, Alternative livelihood options available 35-45. (Given in Table 1).
and preferred, climate change adaptation actions
and the need of more training etc. 3.1.2 Family members
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no.
Elamkunnapuzha Poonthura
14%
21%
86% 79%
3.1.5 Fishing trips per week On an average 1 to 12 hours per day was the
length of fishing trips taken by 55 percent of the
The study revealed that 32 per cent of the fishermen respondents from Elamkunnapuzha
fishermen respondents in Elamkunnapuzha village
lage whereas 80 per cent in Poonthura were
village make 4 to 5 fishing trips in a week found to be doing the same (Shown in Table 6).
Table 4. Experience in fishing
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3.1.7 Percentage of income derived from Poonthura were having a debt amounting to the
fishing range Rs. 100000-2000000.This was followed by
20 per cent from Elamkunnapuzha and 17 per
Thirty three per cent of the fishermen cent from Poonthura found to have taken a loan
respondents from Elamkunnapuzha and amounting to less than Rs.100000 as reported in
Poonthura have 26 to 50 per cent of their income Table 9.
derived from fishing. Twenty seven per cent of
fishermen respondents from Elamkunnapuzha 3.1.10 Percentage of debt increased due to
and 34 per cent from Poonthura have more than reduced family income
75 per cent of their income derived from fishing
(Given in Table 7). According to the survey 8 per cent of the
respondents from Elamkunnapuzha responded
3.1.8 Income and indebtedness that their debt increased in the range 26-50 %
Majority of the fishermen from Poonthura (68%) due to reduced family income. In Poonthura 16
and Elamkunnapuzha (97%) responded that their per cent of the respondents found their debt
income reduced due to low fishing income. In increased upto 25% due to reduced family
Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha 63 and 51 income (Given in Table 10).
percent respectively had taken loan and 59 and
61 per cent respectively had repaid their loan as 3.1.11 Average expenditure pattern
shown in Table 8.
Rent, food, medicine and education were the
3.1.9 Loan amount main expenditure drivers in case of both
Elamkunnapuzha and Poonthura. As depicted in
Forty two per cent of the respondents from Fig. 3.
Elamkunnapuzha and 32 per cent from
Poonthura Elamkunnapuzha
Income and indebtedness
Yes No Yes No
Income decreased due to low fishing income 174 82 517 16
Possess any loan 344 201 330 318
Loan repaid 174 120 149 96
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no.
3.2 Climate Change Impacts on Their newspaper and media. In case of Poonthura,
Livelihood newspaper, media, family members and friends
were the major sources of information (Fig. 5).
Fisheries’ being heavily dependent on weather
and climate is substantially affected by the 3.2.3 Climate change impacts experienced in
changes in climate and environment. These day to day life
changes can thus directly or indirectly create
repercussions in the life of the fishermen Figs.. 6 and 7 give details of climate change
dependent on it for their livelihood. impacts experienced in day to day life by the
inhabitants of Elamkunnapuzha and Poonthura
3.2.1 Climate change impact awareness villages.
Majority (92%) of the respondents from 3.2.4 Willingness to know more about climate
Elamkunnapuzha and 86 per cent from change
Poonthura have heard about climate change
impacts from different sources such as friends, Sixty three per cent of the respondents from
family members, media, newspapers, social Elamkunnapuzha and 76 per cent from
websites, community groups etc (Fig. 4). Poonthura are willing to know more about climate
change. This shows the interest among the
3.2.2 Source of information fishermen community to know more about
climate change and contribute more towards the
Major sources of information related to climate adaptation and mitigation plans (Given in
change impacts s in Elamkunnapuzha were Table 11).
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000 Elamkunnapuzha
2000 Poonthura
1000
0
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no.
Elamkunnapuzha Poonthura
579
543
92
45
Yes No
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Friends Family Media Newspaper Social Community others
Members websites Groups
Elamkunnamuzha Poonthura
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
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no.
3.2.5 Willing to participate in any climate displaced due to climate change as shown in
change adaptation activities Table 14. A vast majority of respondents from
both the villages responded that they were not
Majority (60%) of the respondents from displaced due to climate change.
Elamkunnapuzha and 72% from Poonthura are
willing to participate in any climate change 3.2.8 Fear of displacement in future due to
adaptation activities. From this we can conclude climate change
that a vast majority of the fishermen community
are willing to be a part of the climate change In Elamkunnapuzha and Poonthura 10 per cent
adaptation and mitigation strategies (Table 12). and 20 per cent respondents respectively has
fear of displacement due to climate change in
3.2.6 Type of climate change adaptation future. Fifty one per cent of the respondents from
activities willing to participate Elamkunnapuzha and 74 % from Poonthura have
no fear of displacement due to climate change in
Majority (61%) of the respondents from future (Table 15).
Elamkunnapuzha would like to take part in
individual climate change adaptation activities 3.2.9 Climate change adaptation measures
followed by household (37%), social (21%), practiced
institutional (10%) and communal (6%). In case
of Poonthura majority (50%) of the respondents Using transportation alternatives, Organic
favoured social activities followed by communal Farming, increasing energy efficiency, reducing
(27%), household (14%), individual (13%), food waste, avoiding products with lot of
institutional (7%) and political (2%) (Table 13). packaging and rain water harvesting are the
popular climate change adaptation activities
3.2.7 Climate change displacement being practiced among the coastal communities
of Elamkunnapuzha and Poonthura fishing
In Elamkunnapuzha only a small percentage villages. The details of climate change adaptation
(3%) reported to be displaced due to climate measures practiced by inhabitants of both
change whereas in Poonthura 13 percent were villages are given in Tables 16 and 17.
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
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3.3 Alternative Livelihood Options (ALOs) fisheries and has no other means to survive, if
left without it (Fig. 8).
3.3.1 Alternative livelihood options
3.3.2 Preferred Alternative Livelihood
Options (ALOs)
Thirty two per cent from Elamkunnapuzha and 19
per cent from Poonthura have Alternative Daily wage labour, SHG, Small scale industry,
Livelihood options whereas 61 per cent from Service Industry and Masonry/carpentry are the
Elamkunnapuzha and 67 percent from Poonthura top five ALOs preferred by fishermen in
have no Alternative Livelihood options other than Poonthura and Elamkunnapuzha fishing villages.
fishing. From this we can conclude that majority The order of preference is given in the Tables 18
of the respondents are completely dependent on and 19.
800
700
600
500
400 NO
300 YES
200
100
0
Elamkunnapuzha Poonthura
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© 2019 Salim et al.; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
Peer-review history:
The peer review history for this paper can be accessed here:
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