Impact of climate change and variability on coastal penaeid shrimp abundance in Rufiji delta, Tanzania
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
An improved understanding of how key environmental factors drive the abundance and, thus, influence the catch of shrimps is important to prevent a decline or even collapse and to mitigate adverse effects of environmental change including climate change through fishery management. Primary and historical data of shrimp catches, rainfall, flows of the Rufiji River and temperatures were used to assess impact of climate variability on catches of coastal panaeid shrimps in the Rufiji delta. Fishing systems and socio -economic characteristics of shrimp fishers were also examined. Generally, both catches and environmental variables showed temporal variability and strong connectivity among them. Analyses of trend patterns, timing events and intensities for seasonal and interannual variability confirmed that climatic related factors influence the observed declining trends of shrimp catches in the Rufiji delta. Catches were observed to reach maximum peak during May, whereas rainfall and flows of the Rufiji River attain their maximum peaks during April of each year. Timing (phases) events and amplitude (intensities) in rainfall and river flows showed highest positive correlation with catches of coastal panaeid shrimps. Shrimp fishers had generated and adopted their own strategies to deal with a certain degree of variations in their local climate. Some of the adaptation strategies noted include shifting to new fishing areas, diversification of target species, switching and adjusting gear types, and acquiring non-fishing small scale works. This study provided the first scientific results showing drive-response relationship between climate factors and coastal panaeid shrimp catches and lays guiding foundation for formulations of climate resilience management policies of coastal penaeid shrimp fishery in Tanzania.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF SH380.62.T34B854)
Keywords
Shrimp fisheries, Climate changes, Rufiji delta, Tanzania
Citation
Bwire, M. K.(2016) Impact of climate change and variability on coastal penaeid shrimp abundance in Rufiji delta, Tanzania, Doctoral dissertation,University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.