Conference presentation
Climate change and fisheries in Ghana: Trends and adaptive strategies by small-scale fishers
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
Abstract
This study examines climate change and associated adaptive strategies by fishers in Ghana, West Africa. The research uses the Vulnerability framework of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Socio-ecological framework to understand how the government, institutions and fishing communities perceive risk, vulnerability and opportunities from climate change by assessing their past and current adaptive strategies as well as coping mechanisms. West Africa and Central Africa constitute the majority of countries whose economies are most vulnerable to climate impacts on fisheries. In Ghana, for example, small-scale fishers are confronted with the full force of these impacts through less stable livelihoods, change in availability and quality of fish for food and rising risks to their health, safety at work and home. Amid these challenges, no/little scientific research has been committed to understanding the adaptation and mitigation processes of smallscale fishers to climate change. In this context, this study intends to fill this knowledge gap and provide policy makers, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and other developmental organizations with specific knowledge on small-scale fisheries in Ghana with regard to climate change induced adaptive mechanisms. It will ultimately inform decision makers on proper adaptive measures for vulnerable fishing communities. This study will be the first to specifically look at how climate change shows up in the small-scale fishing communities in Ghana and how fishers are adapting to these changes. Lessons from this study may prove relevant to small-scale natural resource management efforts in developing countries.
Details
- Title
- Climate change and fisheries in Ghana: Trends and adaptive strategies by small-scale fishers
- Authors
- George Freduah (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2013
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2013 the author. Reproduced with permission of the author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449019202621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
Metrics
150 File views/ downloads
1355 Record Views