Volume V Special Issue VI December 2025

Name of Author : Shine Brijit, Dr. Gigi Elias

Title of the paper : FROM SEA TO SHORE: CLIMATE-DRIVEN LIVELIHOOD SHIFTS IN KERALAS FISHING COMMUNITIES

Abstract: Climate related threats are intensifying globally, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities whose livelihoods are intrinsically tied to natural ecosystems particularly coastal fisher folk. In Kerala, over 7.7 million people dependent on marine resources face mounting vulnerability due to accelerating ecological disruptions driven by climate change. This study examines the climate induced transformation of traditional fishing livelihoods, focusing on declining fish stocks, rising environmental stressors, and the resulting socio economic instability. Central to this crisis is the rapid warming of the Arabian Sea, where Sea Surface Temperatures SST have surged from historical norms of 28 to 29°C to 31 to 32°C. This thermal shift enhances ocean stratification, suppressing the vertical mixing of nutrient rich subsurface waters and diminishing primary productivity the foundation of the marine food web. Consequently, commercially vital species like the Indian oil sardine have experienced dramatic declines, undermining income security and forcing fishers into prolonged periods of unemployment. The study documents visible inter and intra generational occupational shifts, as youth increasingly abandon fishing for alternative livelihoods, signaling a fundamental re evaluation of occupational identity. Beyond ecological degradation, fisherfolk confront psychological distress, financial precarity, and heightened uncertainty. The research underscores that these are not speculative future risks but present day realities demanding urgent policy attention. By mapping the nexus between climate change, marine resource depletion, and livelihood transformation, this study highlights the critical need for adaptive strategies that are inclusive, gender sensitive, and community driven to ensure the resilience and sustainability of Keralas coastal fishing communities in an era of climate crisis.

Keywords : Climate, Fisher folk, Livelihood, Sustainability.

DOI :

Page Number : 204-211