Abstract:
The study on adaptation strategies of the small scale fishers to climate change was
carried out in Mwanza City. Specifically the study aimed at (i) assessing fishers' awareness about climate change indicators affecting fisheries, (ii) analyzing micro-level
climate change impacts facing fishers on their fishing activities and, (iii) analyzing fishers' adaptation to climate variability in the lake. Six villages commonly known as Beach Management Units (BMUs) were selected purposively and a total of 120 fishers were randomly selected and interviewed. Data were collected through administration of a structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs), key informant interviews and direct observation. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Computer
Programne was used to analyse quantitative data where as content analysis was used for
qualitative data. The results revealed that the ability of the fishers to adapt to the changing
weather was affected by a series of factors; among others include poor fishing gears and
equipments, lack of capital, low government support in the fishery sector, poor road
infrastructures and lack of credit facilities to fishers. The study also found out that fishers
have been changing the process and practices to moderate the effects of climate change to
the fish catch; among others are the strategies of increasing capacity and efforts of fishing.
The study revealed that over years the fish catch has always been declining while the
climate change incidences such as excessive droughts, low rainfall, and high temperatures
have been increasing. It was therefore reasonable to conclude that the present climate
variability and change has a serious negative impact to fishers. It is very important for the
government and other stakeholders to solve the problems associated with climate
variability and change to fishers so that their ability to adapt to the adverse weather is
improved.
