Climate Variations in Coastal Andhra: Their Causes, Impacts and Solutions for Fisher's Livelihoods

Climate variability is a serious concern for fishermen in near term and long term. For instance, sea erosion has taken its toll on AP shoreline over the last 30 years as more old fishermen, than young, say that they have observed a greater extent of the shoreline eat into the villagefront. This has made them go out to deep sea with expenses in fuel and deck hands, though without the assurance of bigger catches, there is a falling income potential, loss of productivity and deteriorating livelihoods, like apprehensions about migrating, or giving up traditional crafts for mechanical labour. This study has made a multi-stage stratified sampling in 450 households in nine areas divided into three coastal zones in two districts of Godavari and Krishna in coastal Andhra Pradesh. The study asks into the effects of sea erosion, wind movements, cyclones, heat waves and currents on livelihoods across three generations of fishermen; while effects of changes in assets-natural (sea), physical (craft, nets), financial, social and human (health issues)-with two case studies, account for the influence of climate variations on livelihoods of fishermen and women. Recommending a need to create awareness and consciousness among fishermen on how to deal with adversities of climate variations, the study advocates for the government to play an active role in encouraging fishing and popularizing the trade with the latest technology.