The influence of climate variability effects on adaptation strategies for small scale inland fisheries in Mayuge district, Uganda

Abstract

Majority of research conducted on climate variability and adaptation is largely skewed towards crop and livestock production with less attention given to the fisheries sector in Uganda. This has resulted into the sector lagging behind in terms of adapting to climate variability effects. This study assessed the influence of climate variability effects on adaptation strategies in small-scale inland fisheries of Mayuge District. The study was based on a descriptive research design employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study adopted the simple random sampling technique to sample 130 respondents to whom structured questionnaire was administered. And purposive sampling to select 10 key informants to whom a key informant interview guide was administered. Descriptive data analysis technique was adopted using SPSS 20 and data presentation was made with the aid of tables and graphs whereas thematic, content, and context analysis were used for qualitative data. The study reveals that fishing communities experience a number of effects that are associated to climate variability including but not limited to drought, extreme temperatures, erratic rains/floods. The effects experienced are; loss of fishing equipment, accidents/loss of life on the lake, poverty, decrease in fish catch, food insecurity, health challenges, community infrastructure and property damages, livelihood uncertainty, and increased pressure on natural resources. The adaptation strategies are employed to reduce the impact of climate variability shocks and also vulnerability such as joining saving groups, buying new fishing assets, join business sectors, intensify of fishing practice, engaging in crop farming, seeking help from government and NGOs, practice agroforestry, utilization of early warning information, and sensitisation of communities on environment protection. The study concludes that climate variability effects continue to frustrate adaptation efforts in the small-scale fisheries of Mayuge District and therefore recommend that existing policies be translated into local languages and distributed, adequate funding be provided for the implementation of climate adaptation activities, campaigns to plant trees should be intensified, fishing communities should work towards diversifying their livelihoods.