Climate change and coping strategies of Ibeno and Onna coastal fishing communities in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Ibeno and Onna are two coastal communities in Niger delta, Nigeria that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. These communities face the risk of exposure due to water level rise, change in weather conditions and extreme weather events. The main means of livelihood in these communities is fishing which has been greatly impacted by climate change coupled with pollution that is endemic in Niger Delta. The perceived changes in weather conditions observed by the fishers in the two communities include changes in water depth, frequency and intensity of temperature and fluctuation in timing of rainfall. These perceived changes have contributed to increase in fishing efforts, fishing time, decrease in fish catch amongst others which in turn have affected their fishing livelihood. Thus there is a need to build up the resilience which starts from knowing their present coping strategies and proffering better coping strategies that will enhance resilience for the fishers.