Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk of the Marine Small-Scale Fisheries Livelihoods in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Marine Small-Scale Fisheries (MSSF) sector in Sri Lanka contributes significantly to the income of coastal communities and to the country’s food and nutrition security. However, the MSSF communities are facing challenges due to climate change, making the sector even more vulnerable. Hence, this study intended to assess the vulnerability and risks of MSSF communities associated with climate change. Primary data were collected through a survey, while data on climate-hazard variables were obtained from the Department of Meteorology. The study included 384 fishers and 60 fish processors from Tangalle, Galle, Negombo, Kalpitya, Jaffna, and Trincomalee. The vulnerability and risks indices were calculated by employing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC AR5) framework. The results showed that vulnerability and risks vary across different areas, but all areas exhibit a high level of vulnerability. Among the fishers, those in the Tangalle area were highly vulnerable and at risk. Further, the fish processors in Negombo were found to be the most vulnerable, while those in Galle were found to be the most at risk. Overall, communities with high sensitivity and high exposure were constrained by limited adaptability, mainly due to high dependence on fisheries activities, low levels of climate literacy, limited financial management, low-income diversification, and limited financial support. The study underscores the need to reduce sensitivity and exposure while enhancing adaptive capacity, mainly by introducing innovative financial solutions and climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting income diversification, and introducing localised community-driven adoption mechanisms to address the sector-specific vulnerabilities of the MSSF communities.