Using Local Ecological Knowledge to Identify Adaptation Strategies Used in Western Nayarit’s Fisher Communities

Abstract

As climate change continues, it becomes increasingly crucial to understand its profound impacts on small-scale fishers. The coast of Nayarit, Mexico, recognized as a climate change hotspot, is home to vulnerable small-scale fishing communities. Utilizing local ecological knowledge documented from Nayarit fishers, this study aims to identify their adaptive capacities from the 1960s to the 2020s. We analyze the adaptation strategies employed by fishers to sustain their livelihoods. These strategies include diversifying their target species, switching their primary target species, and changing the gear they utilize. Fishers are progressively broadening their range of target species and switching their primary targets, acknowledging the diminishing abundance of previously prevalent species. They exhibit more frequent changes in target species than in the gear type used to catch them. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of these adaptive measures and their impact, our study provides insights into the resilience of small-scale fishers in facing environmental stressors.