Perception and Adaptation to Climate Change among Artisanal Fishermen in Fishing Communities along Anambra River Nigeria
Abstract
Climate change is threatening the attainment of self-sufficiency in fish production in Nigeria. As a result, artisanal fishermen are developing adaptation practices that will reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The study therefore investigated perceptions and adaptation behavior of climate change among Artisanal Fishermen in Fishing Communities along Anambra River in South East Nigeria. The study adopted multistage sampling technique to select 240 Artisanal Fishermen. The results showed that the mean age of Artisanal Fishermen was 50 years and household size of 4 persons, with 52.5% married. On average, the Artisanal Fishermen have spent about 15 years. Majority (85%) of the respondents have formal education. Also, majority of the Artisanal Fishermen had access to credit for male (67.5%). Furthermore the result revealed that Artisanal Fishermen () were aware of the occurrence of climate change and the most widely used adaptation practice of the Artisanal Fishermen were changing of Diversification of livelihoods (), Information dissemination (), Improved housing (), Financial Support () and Community representative in disaster management (). Ordinary least Square regression result factors influencing adaptation behavior of climate change among artisanal fishermen in fishing communities along Anambra river Nigeria with an R2 value of 88.3% shows that marital status (5%), member of cooperative society (10%) and extension services (1%) were positively related to number of mitigation strategies used by artisanal fishermen in fishing communities, while household size (1%) was significant and negative. The study therefore, recommends that extension workers should be continuously trained and educated on current information about climate change to enable them enlighten and disseminate to fish farmers. This will enable update and synchronization of ideas with the Artisanal Fishermen.
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