Vulnerability of Fishing and Fisheries Sector to Climate Change and Non-climate Risks as Perceived by Fishermen in Zanzibar Coastal Villages

Climate variability and change as well as sea level rise pose significant challenges to fisheries, other livelihood activities, water and food security in Small Island States including the Zanzibar Islands. Without planned strategic adaptation, the future projected changes in climate and sea level will intensify the vulnerability of these sensitive areas. In fact, climate and sea levels in East Africa respond from both regional and global events such as El Niño and La Niña, so that variability in these is likely to increase in the future. This requires adaptation at both local and national levels. This article is based on research conducted in two sites located in the north-eastern parts of each island: the main island of Zanzibar, namely Kiuyu Mbuyuni, Pemba Island and Matemwe, Unguja Island. The research focuses on existing conditions of the fisheries sector that create vulnerability, and secondly examines the perceived risk of climate change and non-climate risk on fisheries. Using mainly survey data, the study found that current scale and technologies involved in fisheries create their own set of vulnerability and that climate change risks add more pressure on the fisheries sector. The study finally suggests ways that could be used to build a resilient coastal fisheries activity among coastal communities in both of Zanzibar main islands.