Vulnearability assessment of coastal shrimp farmers to the impacts of climate change : a case study of marine shrimp farming in Pak Phanang District of Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province, Thailand | |
| Author | Wiparat Taweewattana |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-10-14 |
| Subject(s) | Climatic changes--Nakhon Si Thammarat Pak Phanang Shrimp fisheries--Nakhon Si Thammarat Pak Phanang Shrimps--Naknhon Sri Thammarat Pak Phanang |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-10-14 |
| Abstract | Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges. Rising global temperatures will bring changes in weather patterns, sea level rise and frequency and intensity of extreme natural events. Climate change is causing many changes to coastal ecosystems which may increase vulnerability of marine shrimp farming which is economically important for several Asian countries including Thailand. This study was conducted to understand the changes in climate parameters and related threats to shrimp farming as perceived by shrimp farmers in Pak Phanang, Nakhorn Sri Thammarat, Thailand. The study examined the changes in local climate against global climate change, impacts of climate change on shrimp farming practices and perception of shrimp farmers on climate change and vulnerability of shrimp farmers. This study collected primary data by interviewing shrimp farmers in Pak Phanang district and secondary data/information were collected from the Department of Meteorology, Nakhon Sri Thammarat Meteorology station. During the study, a total of 60 shrimp farmers were interviewed to seek information regarding their perception on climate change issues, changes in local climate condition, impacts of local climate variability and shrimp farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change. The study found that change in temperature and shift in season were the major threats to shrimp farming practices as perceived by majority of the shrimp farmers interviewed. All the interviewed farmers were aware of the climate change issue, and 51.7% of them were even aware of the cause of climate change and 48.3% were able to suggest some mitigation measures to tackle climate change challenges. Deforestation was mentioned by 87.1% of the interviewed farmers as a major cause of climate change. The results of the study also showed that local climate trend for the past years are consistent with global climate trends; and change in temperature is perceived as major hazard by shrimp farmers impacting shrimp farming in the study area. It was found that when there were problems on water quality whether caused from change in climate conditions or any other causes, farmers increase the aeration and reduce the amount of feed given when shrimps are stressed. The study also revealed the farmers’ perception of lack of external support (despite the government projects supporting them) and lack of land for water storage for shrimp farming, contributing to their vulnerability. However, there are productive shrimp farmers who are successful in sustaining their business and there exists strong relationship/cooperation among the shrimp farmers. The study revealed that shrimp farmers’ perceived knowledge on climate change was relatively high among the high education level group in the community as compared to the farmers in low education level group. Overall, the study suggested that shrimp farmers in Pak Phanang are capable of dealing with the local climate variability and have adapted to the changing climatic conditions for sustainable shrimp culture. |
| Keyword | Climate change; shrimp farming; vulnerability; adaptation to climate change; shrimp farmers’ perceptions |
| Year | 2010 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-10-14 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Gallardo, Wenresti;Thakur, Dhirendra P. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne;Babel, Mukand S. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | RTG Fellowship;AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010 |