Fishers’ Perception of Climate Change on Saltmarsh and Seagrass Ecosystems in the Southeastern Coast of Bangladesh

摘要

Background: Southeastern coast of Bangladesh is bestowed with saltmarsh andseagrass ecosystems. Coastal people of this region are being benefitted directly orindirectly from the resources of these ecosystems. Nevertheless, these ecosystems arevulnerable due to climate change induced impacts, no study has yet been conducted toexplore the peoples’ perception about these ecosystems. Objective: This study was aneffort to determine the fishers’ perception in regards to potential effect of climatechange upon goods and services of these ecosystems. Methodology: Two hundredhouseholds were surveyed in two prominent areas in the southeastern coasts by usingsemi-structured questionnaire from December 2012 to May 2013. Results andDiscussion: In both study areas, tropical cyclone (70% opined) was the major climatichazard followed by tidal thunder storm and tidal surge. The study also reveals that thefishermen are helpless to face the effects of climate change due to their povertyespecially less income source and food deficiency. Local fishermenuse saltmarsh grassfor fodder followed by fuel and thatching materials. In Salimpur 17% respondentspreferred bait fishing in saltmarsh bed, whereas, it was quite absent in Cox’s Bazar. InSalimpur anthropogenic causes like ship breaking industry, and in both study areas,over harvesting, uses of saltmarsh as footpath were the key reasons for the degradationof these ecosystems. In both study areas climatic hazards (35% opined) had themoderate effects on these ecosystems. This degradation was mainly accelerated due tolack of proper conservation and management practices. Conclusion: Our findingssuggest that fishers’ oriented awareness programme in regards to climate change,sustainable use of these resources, development of conservation management plan(CMP) and its implementation with the active participation of community people maybe the best option for its conservation, restoration and management of these productivebut degraded ecosystems.