FISHING COMMUNITIES’ ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ATKOMENDA-EDINA-EGUAFO-ABREM MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

Abstract

Adaptation to climate change in local contexts and fishing communities in Ghana has not received the desired attention even though these contexts are considered the most at-risk and vulnerable. The objective of this study was to assess how fishing communities in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality adapt to climate change. The study was guided by the crisis management and timeline model, and the endogenous development adaptation system framework. Four fishing communities were purposively selected based on their community characteristics and observable evidence of a changing climate. Both primary and secondary data were collected for complementary reasons. Sixteen fishermen participated in in-depth interviews while 12 focus group discussions were conducted. In addition, a survey was conducted with 222 fishermen who had at least one decade or more experience in fishing and had stayed in their respective communities for two decades or more. A set of secondary data comprising temperature (1993-2011) and rainfall records (1980-2009), and satellite images of land cover change (1986-2002) from Landsat were also accessed. From observation and experiential knowledge, over 80 percent of the respondents expressed that temperatures and the sea level have increased while rainfall has decreased as observed over the last three decades. Spiritual factors were used to explain the reasons for the change in temperature, rainfall and sea level. The secondary data, however, did not show any consistent increase or decrease in temperatures and rainfall characteristics. Impacts of the changing climate were adverse on habitats, fish catch and indigenous knowledge in fishing. Temporary relocation, adaptive fishing practices and alternative livelihood strategies were implemented to adjust to the changing climate. These strategies reflected the local beliefs and practices in indigenous knowledge, although most of which did not yield the desired results expected. The co-evolution of knowledge and innovations towards adaptation to climate (based on the endogenous development adaptation system framework) was weak due to poor linkage between the indigenous and the conventional institutions. The Municipality and the local fisherfolks need to engage to develop a locally appropriate and applicable framework to guide and promote effective adaptation