Climate change perceptions and responses of male and female fishers in the Gulf of California, Mexico

This study uses Social-ecological Systems (SES) and Feminist Political Ecology (FPE) frameworks to examine women and men fishers' perceptions of climate change impacts on their fishing activities in three coastal communities in the Northern Gulf of California, Sonora state, Mexico. Surveys and interviews were conducted January–April 2024. A gender analysis of these perceptions was crucial because fishing sector activities are highly diversified by species and by gender divisions of labor embedded in the catch, processing and sale of each species. These differing roles shape fishers' perceptions around climate change impacts on fishing activities and in resources they currently have available to address those challenges. Perceptions in turn shape current and aspirational livelihood responses to those climate change impacts. We performed ordination of survey responses and found significant differences across communities, age, and gender. We provide examples of fishery-related associations and recommend strategies aimed at helping fishers respond to gendered climate change impacts on their activities.