Examining the involvement of women in fisheries will offer comprehensive insights into geolocalized community-based data concerning climate change and ocean acidification effects and resilience. This research study aims to investigate how local knowledge can assist in climate and ocean acidification research, enhance our comprehension of the perceived impacts of climate change and ocean acidification, and incorporate local knowledge into policymaking. The project will document and communicate climate change, and ocean acidification impacts at the local level, capturing how small-scale fisheries (SSF) have adapted to these impacts.
The study aims to pinpoint locally perceived species abundance, temporality, location, and size and evaluate how the fishing community has responded to these changes.
We administered a survey and facilitated focus group discussions throughout the research project. The discussion aimed to evaluate observations regarding alterations in fishing and habitats, including insights from experienced fishers about transformations in marine environments and fish abundance, size, and distribution. Meanwhile, the survey was split into seven (7) sections: (a) fishing technology used by women, (b) fishing technology used by men, (c) catch by women, (d) catch by men, (e) fishing effort, income, and time, and (f) perceptions regarding climate change and ocean acidification.
The final survey round did not occur as planned due to the rainy season. However, we are closely collaborating with local authorities in Robertsport, including the CMA and Liberia Artisanal Association (LAFA), to address this issue. We have arranged for the remaining survey to be completed by June 2023.
In the final phase of this study, the data and information obtained from the surveys and focus group discussion will be analyzed. The conclusive findings of this research will be shared with The Ocean Foundation (TOF), which supported our collaboration through the Pier2Pier network and presented to the CMA and LAFA.