Coping with and adapting to climate and non-climate stressors within the small-scale farming, fishing and seaweed growing sectors, Zanzibar

Abstract

The Eastern African region is witnessing changes in climate conditions and rising sea levels due to the in uences of global warming interacting with weather phenomenon such as El Nino and La Nina. These trends, as well as more intense extreme weather events, highlight the urgent need for appropriate adaptation responses at both the national and local level. This is especially the case for the numerous small islands of the region that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. This paper reports on a study that examined coping and adaptation responses to climate and non-climate stressors amongst coastal communities on two Zanzibar islands (Pemba and Unguja) in Tanzania. The study focused on three of the primary livelihood activities on the islands, namely, seaweed growing, shing, and crop and livestock farming. Using mainly survey data, we explored the responses of farmers, shermen, and seaweed growers to multiple shocks and stressors. We further investigated responses that were discontinued for various reasons, as well as any barriers to adaptation encountered by these communities. We found that coastal communities in both Kiuyu Mbuyuni, Pemba and Matemwe, Unguja face a range of interrelated shocks and stressors linked to their livelihood activities, some of which they were able to respond to primarily through coping strategies. However, their attempts to adapt in the longer term as well as to venture outside their traditional activities were constrained by several barriers. Some of these barriers operate beyond the individual and community capability to overcome, whilst others -like social and cultural barriers -can be addressed at the local level but need a concerted effort and political will. We draw the ndings together into a conceptual framework to help unpack the implications these hold for coastal communities on the two islands. We then suggest ways to build resilience in local livelihoods and overcome barriers to climate change adaptation in the future.

Dynamic livelihoods, gender and poverty in marine protected areas: Case study from Zanzibar, Tanzania

“…Alternatively, other livelihoods which better serve needs are within reach to women—which would indeed be positive. For instance, shifting from climate vulnerable livelihoods, such as seaweed farming, into small-scale business has been described very positively (Makame et al 2023 ). If these small-scale businesses are effectively utilising the tourism trade, this can also serve as a way for women to capture some of the benefits associated with the sector, even if employment opportunities remain scarce.…”

“…If these small-scale businesses are effectively utilising the tourism trade, this can also serve as a way for women to capture some of the benefits associated with the sector, even if employment opportunities remain scarce. However, doing this shift requires capital, particularly in the form of social and financial assets—which creates entry barriers (Makame et al 2023 ). Furthermore, possible issues can arise from high supply over demand when too many are in the same market.…”

A Concept Paper on Potential Behavioural Factors That Influence the Global Positioning System (GPS) Usage in Small-Scale Fishing Operation

“…Generally, fishermen can be divided into two main groups: small-scale and deep-sea fishermen. Although there are still no concrete statistics regarding the number of small-scale fishermen, however, the findings of a previous study by Shaffril et al (2022); Makame et al (2023); Adeleke andLuetz Vol 13, Issue 17, (2023) E-ISSN: 2222-6990 To Link this Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i17/19845 DOI:10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i17/19845…”