Climate change is a major threat to the small-scale fishing communities, particularly in South Asia, a region characterized by widespread coastlines, extreme population density, and high dependence on marine resources for food, income, and employment. This review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025 to analyse the climate change impact on socioeconomic conditions and well-being of the small-scale fishermen. The review identifies a range of climatic stressors, such as rising sea surface temperatures, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, that are severely disrupting marine ecosystems and fish availability. These ecological shifts directly affect the livelihoods, income stability, and food security of fishing communities, escalating existing vulnerabilities like poverty, indebtedness, and limited occupational mobility. The study categorizes the impacts into physical, economic, and social dimensions, highlighting issues such as declining catch volumes, increased operational costs, infrastructure destruction, and disruptions in food supply and nutrition. It also examines local and regional adaptation responses, ranging from ecosystem-based solutions, such as mangrove restoration and cage aquaculture, to institutional and behavioural shifts, including migration, livelihood diversification, and early warning systems. While some adaptations enhance resilience, others pose sustainability challenges. This review highlights the pressing need for targeted policy interventions that support sustainable adaptation, enhance institutional frameworks, and prioritize vulnerable fishing communities in climate resilience planning.
Naik C. & Behera B., 2026. Climate change impact on the socioeconomic conditions and well-being of the South Asian small-scale fishermen: a review. In: Datta P., Mishra P., Behera B. (Eds.), Climate Change and Human Well-being. Advances in Global Change Research 83, pp. 147-166. Springer Cham. Chapter (restricted access)
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